Two recent graduates of the University of Tennessee are climbing down from Ol’ Rockytop to join the St Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals selected pitchers Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin from Tennessee during the first day of the Major League Baseball draft Sunday, July 13, along with outfielder Ryan Mitchell of Houston, Tenn., and first baseman Jack Gurevich from the University of San Diego. The left-hander Doyle was the fifth overall pick, led the Southeastern Conference with 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, en route to earning the conference’s pitcher of the year award. Doyle’s teammate Franklin is a right-hander whose fastball last season peaked at 102 miles per hour. The two led Tennessee to a regional title in May, but fell to third-ranked Arkansas in the super-regionals.

Meanwhile, the Royals focused on offense with their two first-round picks, picking up outfielder Sean Gamble with the 23rd overall selection and infielder Josh Hammond five picks later. Gamble grew up in Des Moines but spent his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida. The left-handed batter can also play second base, and is presently committed to playing at Vanderbilt this spring. Hammond wrapped up his senior campaign at Wesleyan Christian High School in North Carolina with a .471 batting average and six home runs. The right-handed batter was recruited to play at Wake Forest next spring. The Royals also selected three pitchers Sunday: right-handers Michael Lombardi of Tulane and Cameron Millar of Alhambra (Cal.) High School, and lefty Justin Lamkin of Texas A&M.

Prospects from Missouri’s schools, including Lone Jack pitcher Ethan Rogers, have yet to hear their names called. Another 480 picks will be made over the next 17 rounds, scheduled to begin Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.