The Texas Rangers’ minor league system recently has produced a bundle of position players for the major league club. The emphasis has shifted to the arms.

In the last three drafts, the Rangers selected nine pitchers in the first five rounds. In July, the Rangers made five trades that brought in five minor league arms and could add three more pitchers depending upon how the Players to be Named are resolved.

With that in mind, this is the first installment in a weekly look at pitching in the system, with all statistics through Sunday’s play:

Trending up

RHP TYLER PHILLIPS: A "feel'' pitcher with an average (89-93 mph) fastball to go with two good secondary pitches: curveball and changeup. Throws strikes. Has 11 walks with 111 strikeouts in 111 innings with Low-A Hickory. Gets weak contact. Turns 21 in October.

RHP HANS CROUSE: Power arm, with high-90s fastball and wipeout slider. Held opponents to .179 average for 38 innings in Short-season A Northwest League, earning promotion at age 19 to Low-A Hickory. Could get to majors quicker as reliever while developing third pitch.

LHP JOE PALUMBO: Returned from Tommy John surgery in June at 23 with the same sharp curveball and low-90s mph fastball. Allowed only two hits with 11 strikeouts in five scoreless innings during most recent start, on Tuesday against Houston's affiliate in the High-A Carolina League. Needs better third pitch.

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LHP YOHANDER MENDEZ: Has hit a plateau in the last two seasons, in the opinion of several scouts. Is 1-7 with 5.22 ERA for 15 starts at the Double- and Triple-A levels. Pitches off changeup too much. That works against aggressive kids at Low- and High-A but not when facing more advanced hitters. Is 23.

RHP JONATHAN HERNANDEZ: Split season. Dominated High-A Carolina League with 2.70 ERA with 17 walks and 77 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. At Double-A Frisco, had 5.71 ERA with 34 walks and 45 strikeouts in 52 innings. Ability is there. Has two plus pitches: fastball and changeup. Turned 22 in July.

LHP BRETT MARTIN: Has stayed healthy for first time since 2014, but results have been lacking. Has career-high 1.81 WHIP with opponents batting average of .344. Problems repeating delivery. Organization will stay with him because of age (23) and curveball that has produced 9.95 strikeouts per nine innings.

On hold

RHP Michael Matuella has been shut down since June 8 because of shoulder problems and will not pitch again until September in the instructional league.

This is the latest in a series of setbacks for Matuella. He was a leading candidate to be the top pick in the 2015 draft out of Duke, but his season ended early because of Tommy John surgery. Matuella, 24, has only 129 1/3 innings in the last three seasons.

Matuella struggled with High-A Down East this season. He had an 8.24 ERA for 51 1/3 innings with an opponents batting average of .307.

Keep an eye on...

RHP Adrian Sampson made one start with Seattle in June 2016 and was warming up for his next turn when he felt discomfort in the right elbow. Sampson underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon shortly thereafter.

Sampson, 26, is close to his pre-surgery level. He has a 2.59 ERA in his last 11 starts with Triple-A Round Rock and is throwing strikes. Sampson has allowed only five walks in 66 innings in those starts.