Opening Day Position Breakdown - Pitchers

Current Pitchers on Roster - RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Taylor Widener, RHP Jimmie Sherfy, RHP Joey Krehbiel, RHP Braden Shipley, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, RHP Stefan Crichton, RHP Joel Payamps, RHP Vinny Nittoli, LHP Alex Young, LHP Marc Rzepczynski. LHP Robby Scott, Anthony Vasquez
The future of Aceball is in good hands with the pitching staff set to be in Reno to start the season.
The Aces will feature some of the Arizona Diamondbacks' top pitching prospects according to Baseball America in the starting rotation, along with highly touted bullpen arms Jimmie Sherfy and Joey Krehbiel.
Stories to watch include Nevada Wolf Pack alum, Braden Shipley, as he chases franchise records in 2019 and Rubby De La Rosa as he looks to return from his second Tommy John surgery. 

Right-handed pitcher Taylor Clarke enters the year rated No. 11 overall in the D-backs' system. Last season, he continued his ascend through the minors with career highs in wins (13) and innings pitched (152.0) while setting a single-season Aces' record with 125 strikeouts.

The former 2015 third-round pick out of the College of Charleston has been very reliable for the organization since being drafted. He's thrown at least 145 innings each of the last three seasons while striking out 408 batters compared to just 133 walks. After being added to the 40-man roster in November of 2018, Clarke is knocking on the door for a spot in the big-leagues very soon.
Not be upstaged by a pitcher with the same first name, but Taylor Widener exploded onto the scene in 2018 where he was named the D-backs' Minor League pitcher of the year. The No. 7 overall prospect went 5-8 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP while striking out 176 batters over 137 1/3 innings pitched.  
Coming over in a February 2018 trade from the New York Yankees, Baseball America describes his fastball as "dominant" generating a lot of swings and misses in the upper part of the strike zone. He tops out at 95 MPH with a power changeup as his best secondary pitch.  
Never spending time above Double-A in the past, the righty out of the University of South Carolina will likely spend majority of his time in Reno this season.
The kid from California, Jimmie Sherfy, is expected to be a "dude" late in games for the Aces yet again this season. Reno's all-time saves leader throws a mid-90s fastball to go with a sharp curveball and a laid-back attitude that helps him stay calm in big moments.
His success in Triple-A is noted, maybe 2019 is the year he gets an extended role in the big-leagues. He hasn't disappointed in his short time with the D-backs the last two seasons. In 26 appearances, he's 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA while hitters are hitting just .144.
Joey Krehbiel led the Aces in appearances a season ago with 48. Expect to see much of the same this year as his mid-90s fastball bodes very well in strikeout situations. Like any hard-throwing reliever, he also sports a first-class beard. Let's hope the intimidation factor returns to the bullpen again this year.
Braden Shipley will also be an interesting member of the staff this year as he chases multiple franchise records. He's started the previous two Opening Days for the club, a third start would give him the team record. He's third in wins (21, chasing 24), third in innings pitched (298 2/3, chasing 399 2/3), and second in strikeouts (204, chasing 307). 

Rubby De La Rosa missed all of 2018 after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery. Spring Training was the first time he stepped on a mound to face a batter in 18 months. Reports said his arm looked good, reaching up to 99 MPH on the radar gun at times. He will use his time in Reno to build stamina for the long haul with hopes of returning the Major Leagues soon.