ST. LOUIS — With their highest first-round draft pick in nearly two decades, the St. Louis Cardinals snagged left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle with the fifth overall selection in MLB’s amateur draft Sunday. In doing so, they acquired one of the most tantalizing arms available — and someone who could impact the major-league club much sooner than later.

The SEC’s pitcher of the year, a native of Derry and Pinkerton Academy, went 10-4 with a nation-leading 164 strikeouts and 3.20 ERA as a junior.