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Where the 21-year-old Cardinals prospect was at in his buildup after a break from pitching following the end of the college season and the timing of Class AA Springfield’s season allowed him to take on some additional innings. The strength of the affiliate’s season could create an opportunity for more than adding to his workload.

Promoted from Class Low-A Palm Beach on Tuesday after making his minor league debut with the PB-Cards on Sept. 6, Doyle completed two scoreless innings Saturday for Springfield (Missouri). Doyle’s Class AA debut comes ahead of the start of the Texas League playoffs, which begin Tuesday and could offer him a pressurized environment as he looks to make the most of his late-season promotion to Class AA.

“Just really learn how to play pro ball,� Doyle said Thursday via video call of what he hopes he can get from spending the final stretch of the minor league season with Springfield. “I’ve been in a real pro ball system now for a little over a week. ... And then just go out there and compete. Obviously, this team is trying to win a Texas League Championship, which is pretty cool. It’s a privilege just to be in Double-A baseball itself.�

Doyle struck out three batters on 30 pitches, 20 of which were strikes, in his start against the San Antonio Missions, the Padres’ Class AA affiliate. The lefty began the outing by getting a line out against the first hitter he faced. He froze Padres minor league Albert Fabian with a 98 mph fastball in an 0-2 count to record his first Class AA strikeout and followed that by getting Eguy Rosario to whiff on an 0-2 change-up to end the first inning.

After allowing back-to-back hits with one out to put runners on second and third base in the second inning, Doyle recorded a third strikeout on a fastball when he got Oswaldo Linares to whiff on the fifth pitch of their encounter. The lefty induced an inning-ending ground out on the final pitch of the outing for Springfield as he gets to know a new level of baseball.

“It’s pretty cool. Being here even in the past two games has been pretty sweet to watch how this team functions and all the talent that’s been here between (major league) guys rehabbing and all the talent they already have has been pretty sweet,� Doyle said Thursday he stood outside Springfield’s clubhouse at Hammons Field. “Even in Florida, playing down in Palm Beach was pretty cool. A lot of young talent there, and it was really fun. This organization has been such a treat so far.�

Drafted fifth overall on July 13 and signed three days later, Doyle described the transition into professional baseball as “a whole blur� as he’s met new players and coaches throughout the organization and built up to be game-ready. His move to Class AA came after pitching 1 2/3 innings in one Class Low-A start. In his lone start in Class Low-A, Doyle struck out three batters, walked two and allowed one run on a solo homer.

“It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of happening,� Doyle said of his professional debut. “It was just another step for me. Hopefully, there are a lot more debuts to come. ... Putting on a Cardinals jersey for the first time and pitching in a game was definitely a dream that I’ve always had of doing.�

The rise to Class AA adds Doyle to a Springfield club that has set a franchise record in wins with 87 heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale against San Antonio.

Doyle noted the familiarity Springfield teammates have with one another and their bonds on and off the field as qualities that stand out for the affiliate. The Tennessee product, who pitched in the College World Series for the Volunteers this year, likened the characteristics of the club to those of a collegiate program — one, he noted, that has a common goal in sight.

“We’re all here in the same spot, and we’ve all earned the right to be in Double-A baseball, which is a huge accomplishment in itself,� Doyle said. “We’re all just trying to do the same thing, and that’s just make the Cardinals organization that much better. Obviously, we’re all trying to reach the top and win a World Series and do all that. But you take everything that you can while you’re here, appreciate Double-A baseball and learn a lot from guys that are around you.�