​ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What started as a bid to win a spot in the Rangers’ rotation turned into an unexpected ascent to an All-Star closer role for Jacob Latz. His first appearance of the season with Texas came as a starter, and he didn’t record a save until late April, a sequence that underscored the unusual path his season has taken. Latz is the lone Rangers representative named to the American League All-Star team for Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia, the same city where Texas opened the season. In the opener there, he delivered four no-hit innings in the club’s second game on March 28 after a late scratch of two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom due to neck stiffness.
The 30-year-old left-hander has been navigating an unforeseen turn of events, thriving in a first-time closer role that has him posting 18 saves in 20 chances and a 1.71 ERA across 33 appearances. “When I didn’t get the starting role … I was hurt in the moment, for sure,” Latz said. “But I knew there were good things ahead because of the work I put in during the offseason. I didn’t know it would show up this way.” That season-opening spot start in Philadelphia came just days after Latz learned he wouldn’t be in the rotation. He then entered a bullpen without a designated closer and didn’t secure his first save until April 25.
Latz’s breakout continued as he earned recognition for his relief prowess. In June, he was named AL Reliever of the Month after recording 11 saves, a franchise record for a single month. One June appearance showcased his versatility with a perfect ninth inning that extended the game into extra innings. Before this year, his only big-league save had come by pitching the final three innings of a 10-2 win over Baltimore last season, when he served as a swingman and started eight of his 33 games.
“He’s always super even-keeled. The qualities to be a closer—the temperament, mound presence, and the stuff—he’s got all of those,” said Skip Schumaker, Texas’s first-year manager. “I still think he could be a really good starter. That’s how good he is. I have no idea what his future’s going to look like, but having All-Star on his resume no matter what is pretty sweet.” Schumaker, who served as an adviser for Texas last year, and Latz met for lunch in California during the offseason to discuss what the pitcher needed to do to position himself for a rotation spot.
They had what Schumaker called “a really challenging conversation” late in spring training. Latz responded that he wanted to pitch high-leverage innings. “You earn those innings; you’re not just given those innings. He absolutely earned it two, three weeks into the season,” Schumaker said. “Long story short, that conversation in the offseason at lunch was amazing, then disappointment, then back to amazing.”
Latz has continued to shine in two-inning saves, racking up five such saves this season. His nine saves, obtained with at least four outs, lead the majors and mark the most for a Rangers pitcher since Francisco Cordero recorded nine saves in the entire 2004 season. As Latz remains firmly in the closer role, he has also drawn praise for his leadership and reliability in high-leverage moments, qualities that have helped redefine his trajectory from a hopeful starter to an integral reliever for Texas.