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Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz takes the mound to pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n
Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
One of the most remarkable stories in recent Rangers<\/a> memory is that of Jacob Latz.<\/p>\n From an unheralded prospect to a spot starter to an All-Star closer, Latz has become one of Texas’ most valuable players. His unique baseball journey molded him into a versatile weapon for the Rangers, with manager Skip Schumaker leaning on Latz to carry the Texas bullpen in 2026.<\/p>\n Here are five things to know about the Rangers’ All-Star closer.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 1. The basics<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Height:\u00a06-2\u00a0Weight:\u00a0185 pounds<\/p>\n Colleges:\u00a0LSU, Kent State<\/p>\n Drafted:\u00a011th round by Blue Jays in 2014, fifth round by Rangers in 2017<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2. Late bloomer into an All-Star<\/p>\n Latz was named to his first All-Star team and is the Rangers’ lone representative in Philadelphia at the 2026 All-Star Game<\/a>. In the first half of the season, he has a 1.61 ERA and 18 saves across 44 \u2154 innings. Latz’s 1.7 WAR is tied for the fifth-most among all relievers in baseball in the first half, according to FanGraphs<\/a><\/p>\n No one had Latz on their All-Star radar heading into 2026, let alone as a closer. Not to mention his status as a very late bloomer, as he appeared in just four games for Texas prior to his age-28 season in 2024.<\/p>\n After\u00a0losing out on the final spot in Texas’ rotation to Kumar Rocker<\/a>, Latz moved to the bullpen as a multi-inning relief arm. But throughout the season, he kept performing in high-leverage situations until it became obvious he was Texas’ best bullpen arm.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 3. Impressive versatility<\/p>\n Part of what makes Latz so unique is his background as a starter. He sported a 2.84 ERA with Texas in 2025 as an often-used spot starter and in 10 career starts, Latz has a 2.79 ERA in 48\u2153 innings.<\/p>\n Given his background as a starter and previous experience as a multi-inning reliever, that ability has translated to his closer role. Schumaker has often leaned on him for multi-inning saves. In fact, of his 18 first-half saves, nine of them required more than an inning. Heading into the All-Star break,\u00a0 Latz’s nine multi-inning saves leads all of baseball by a wide margin, with Blue Jays closer Louis Varland’s six multi-inning saves being the second-most.<\/p>\n Ironically enough, Latz’s first appearance of 2026 didn’t even come out of the bullpen. When Jacob deGrom was a late scratch in Texas’ second game of the season in Philadelphia, Latz stepped in for deGrom and fired four hitless innings<\/a>.<\/p>\n 4. Franchise record holder<\/p>\n Latz already has put his name in the Rangers’ recordbooks.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n He held the first 28 batters he faced in 2026 hitless, which is a new franchise record for most hitless at-bats against a Senators\/Rangers pitcher to begin a season<\/a>. Latz also recorded 11 saves in June, which matched a franchise record<\/a> for most saves in a month, tying Joe Nathan, Jeff Zimmerman and John Wetteland.<\/p>\n 5. Closer introduction<\/p>\n As Latz grew into one of the team’s star players, it became time to start treating him like a star.<\/p>\n Latz now has a signature closer entrance, as he jogs in from the bullpen amid a light show while “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep plays in the ballpark. See his entrance below.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Bonus: SportsDay Rangers podcast guest<\/p>\n<\/p>\n