Pipeline preview: Shipley set for Visalia debut

Right-hander Braden Shipley, the D-backs' top pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, proved himself to be ready for a promotion after eight starts with Class A South Bend this season.

On Sunday, the 22-year-old pitching prospect will get his first taste of the California League as he joins Class A Advanced Visalia and takes the mound for the Rawhide against Lake Elsinore at 4 p.m. ET.

Shipley, the D-backs' No. 2 prospect, went 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA in eight starts for South Bend. He struck out 41 and walked 11 over 45 2/3 innings as he built on an impressive stint with the Silver Hawks in 2013.

Ranked 65th on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list, Shipley will square off with right-hander Joe Ross, the Padres' No. 9 prospect, who's off to a strong start of his own for Lake Elsinore.

Ross, 21, is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA, 58 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 61 1/3 innings over 11 starts for the Storm.

Several other pitchers ranked in the Top 100 are scheduled to take the mound Sunday, including Robert Stephenson (No. 16), Andrew Heaney (No. 25), Kyle Crick (No. 27), Kohl Stewart (No. 32), A.J. Cole (No. 59), Matthew Wisler (No. 66), Jose Berrios (No. 77) and Robbie Ray (No. 84).

Fans can watch Stephenson, Heaney, Cole, Wisler and Ray pitch on MiLB.TV.

Top prospect probables
Chris Beck (White Sox No. 8), Birmingham at Tennessee
Jose Berrios (Twins' No. 5), Fort Myers vs. Tampa
Corey Black (Cubs' No. 16), Tennessee vs. Birmingham
Austin Brice (Marlins' No. 19), Jupiter vs. Dunedin
A.J. Cole (Nationals' No. 2), Harrisburg at Akron
Dylan Covey (A's No. 13), Beloit vs. Clinton
Kyle Crick (Giants' No. 1), Richmond at Bowie
Cody Dickson (Pirates' No. 19), West Virginia at Greensboro
Drew Gagnon (Brewers' No. 16), Huntsville at Jackson
Severino Gonzalez (Phillies' No. 6), Reading at Erie
Andrew Heaney (Marlins' No. 1), New Orleans at Colorado Springs
Dace Kime (Indians' No. 14), Lake County at Great Lakes
Jorge Lopez (Brewers' No. 19), Brevard County at Charlotte
Sean Manaea (Royals' No. 4), Wilmington at Frederick
Steven Matz (Mets' No. 10), St. Lucie vs. Daytona
Tyler Matzek (Rockies' No. 12), Colorado Springs vs. New Orleans
Francellis Montas (White Sox No. 16), Winston-Salem vs. Lynchburg
Wes Parsons (Braves' No. 19), Lynchburg at Winston-Salem
Victor Payano (Rangers' No. 17), Myrtle Beach vs. Carolina
Nick Petree (Cardinals' No. 20), Palm Beach at Lakeland
Anthony Ranaudo (Red Sox's No. 8), Pawtucket at Norfolk
Robbie Ray (Tigers' No. 1), Toledo vs. Charlotte
Enny Romero (Rays' No. 4), Durham vs. Lehigh Valley
Joe Ross (Padres' No. 9), Lake Elsinore at Visalia
Robert Stephenson (Reds' No. 1), Pensacola vs. Jacksonville
Antonio Senzatela (Rockies' No. 20), Asheville at Charleston
Kyle Smith (Astros' No. 18), Corpus Christi vs. Northwest Arkansas
Braden Shipley (D-backs' No. 2), Visalia vs. Lake Elsinore
Ryne Stanek (Rays' No. 11), Bowling Green at South Bend
Kohl Stewart (Twins' No. 4), Cedar Rapids vs. Burlington
Alberto Tirado (Blue Jays' No. 7), Lansing at Dayton
Matthew Wisler (Padres' No. 3), El Paso vs. Tacoma