Arizona State proved to be one of the toughest programs in the Pac-12 in 2015 by putting together a veteran-laden team that, above all, had one of the best pitching staffs in the conference.

The key to ASU’s pitching staff came off of star power – while closer Ryan Burr received much of the attention from pro scouts, the Sun Devils’ pair of lefty aces set the tone night in and night out. Brett Lilek and Ryan Kellogg were among the most consistent starters in the country, as shown by their early-round selections by the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs in this past summer’s MLB Draft.

Now, as the Sun Devils enter year two of the Tracy Smith era, they’ll have to completely restructure a young pitching staff that could make or break their season.

Friday Starter

2015 starter: Brett Lilek (4-2, 3.20 ERA, 66 K, 41 BB, 78.2 innings in 17 appearances last season) or Seth Martinez (2-2, 4.03 ERA, 58 K, 28 BB, 82.2 innings in 16 appearances last season)

2016 expected starter: Hever Bueno (0-0, 7.88 ERA, 16 K, 12 BB, 16 innings in 14 appearances last season)

Lilek’s role last season as a tone-setter will be dearly missed from the Sun Devils, as he regularly went head-to-head against some of the top aces across the country.

While consistency may have been Lilek’s best attribute, junior Hever Bueno succeeds through pure arm talent. His stuff may be the best of anyone currently on the pitching staff, though he had issues with command out of the bullpen last season.

Smith said Bueno’s offseason turnaround gives him the potential to make some noise once the season starts.

“He’s always had electric stuff,” Smith said. “He’s been 95 (miles per hour) and been up to 97, but it’s been all over. His command is a lot better this year. He’s throwing multiple pitches in the strike zone. We need to see it (in a game). It’s time for him to show it. If he pitches like he has in the intrasquad games to this point, he is a legitimate Friday night starter and one of the best pitchers in the country.”

While Smith noted Bueno’s improvement with his changeup and breaking ball, he reiterated that the key to his success would always come down to his command.

If Bueno is unable to get a consistent grip early on in the season, it’s likely that Smith could move junior Seth Martinez back to the Friday night role he occupied for a short time last year.

Saturday Starter

2015 starter: Ryan Kellogg (9-2, 3.60 ERA, 92 K, 23 BB, 115 innings in 16 appearances last season)

2016 expected starter: Seth Martinez (2-2, 4.03 ERA, 58 K, 28 BB, 82.2 innings in 16 appearances last season)

Kellogg had things going through the final month of last season, securing strong performances against opponents such as Washington State to emerge as the unofficial ace of ASU’s staff. The ball will now be passed to Martinez, who despite not having the stuff Kellogg or Lilek had has been one of the most consistent within the strike zone.

“He’s done a really good job now of locating the baseball,” Smith said. “His velocity is back up in that 88-90 (miles per hour) range, which has been lacking a little bit from him. He does everything else really, really well… He understands more than ‘see fastball, throw fastball.’ He understands the little intricacies to pitching, and the fact that he’s throwing multiple pitches in the zone now gives us a great chance to win.”

Martinez said throwing in the 88-90 miles per hour range opens up the rest of his arsenal.

“I’d like to be in that range, but I’m also working to get it up more because I feel like that is a necessity for the next step in my performance,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s best attribute – consistency – has distinguished him as a critical figure in ASU’s rotation, Smith said.

While Martinez is the lone returning weekend starter from last season, he did his best to downplay any advantage it could bring.

“I’m trying not to make it as big of a deal as it could be,” Martinez said. “I’m just trying to come out here each appearance and just give them my all and making sure I can stay consistent.”

Sunday Starter

2015 starter: Brett Lilek (4-2, 3.20 ERA, 66 K, 41 BB, 78.2 innings in 17 appearances last season)

2016 expected starter: Unknown

ASU’s situation beyond the 1-2 starters is a complete unknown but will see its first test as it opens the 2016 season with a 4-game home set against Xavier.

The best contender for the spot is junior Eder Erives, though Smith said he is unsure of whether he would best fit as a third starter or using him as a utility reliever much like Smith did with then-senior Darin Gillies last season.

Sophomore Ryan Hingst, who took much of the midweek starts last season, has been dealing with injuries throughout the preseason and hasn’t done anything to distinguish himself from the rest of the crowded pack. Sophomore Tucker Baca has also dealt with injury issues, limiting Smith’s options of handing a left-hander in the rotation.

Smith said a few arms are starting to stand out in the quest for the third spot.

“(Sophomore) Reagan Todd has thrown well, (sophomore) Grant Schnieder has been throwing the ball well,” Smith said. “Hingst and Baca have been dealing with arm stuff and we’ve sat them out, but I think they eventually will be in the conversation, too.”

Martinez said he’s seen a lot from the young talent vying for the weekend and midweek spots.

“Schneider and Todd are guys who have stood out, just with their ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes,” he said.

Midweek Starter

2015 starter: Ryan Hingst (3-3, 5.79 ERA, 16 K, 10 BB, 23.1 innings in 12 appearances last season)

2016 expected starter: Unknown

The midweek spot is typically a chance to give freshmen a look, which is something Smith said he might take a look at this season.

“James Ryan has been really, really consistent for us, and it would be interesting to see if I could get him some midweeks, “ Smith said. “Fitz Stadler has shown the most as far as dominant stuff, but it’s been a little up and down. Once he figures out the consistency part of it, I think he has a chance to be as good as anybody.”

Another possibility would be expected third baseman starter Jordan Aboites, who said he has been working on his starting pitching this preseason and could also get some looks.