​Left-hander Jacob Latz is the Texas Rangers’ lone representative at the 2026 All-Star Game, five years after his MLB debut and nine years after he was drafted.The Jacob Latz All-Star story doesn’t begin at the end of spring training, when he was informed that he had lost out in the battle to be the Texas Rangers‘ fifth starter. Rather than sulk, he channeled his disappointment into some of the finest relief work in the American League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis isn’t his first time on the road less traveled, encountering potholes and detours since his freshman year of college. Ultimately, missing out on the rotation was just another instance in which his career has been redirected.It’s been that way since Latz left high school in Illinois. Just getting drafted by the Rangers out of college was a bumpy ride, as injuries, dietary issues and an eligibility issue limited him to only a handful of innings over three seasons at LSU and Kent State.Even his MLB debut, in 2021, was unusual. He was the Rangers’ starting pitcher only because the team was dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19. Latz didn’t pitch in the majors again until September 2023, just in time to earn a World Series ring.Tonight, he’s the Rangers’ lone representative at the 96th MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. He has solved the Rangers’ No. 1 issue entering the season, the lack of a closer, and arguably has been the team’s MVP after going 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA and 18 saves.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It was a wild ride to get here, for sure,” Latz said. “The journey has been special, and it just feels good to represent his team as the All-Star nod. It’s been a longer journey, but it definitely paid off. You know, it’s just getting started, really.”He might not have just solved a 2026 Rangers problem but one for seasons to come. Latz is under the club’s contractual control through at least 2030, so he might preemptively be putting the annual offseason questions about the closer’s role into hibernation.Though he was vying to be a starter in spring training, he can’t get enough of closing. Nothing matches the adrenaline rush of recording the final three outs of a game and shaking hands with the catcher after closing out a win.Latz was on the path to being a starter when he arrived at LSU in 2015 but was sidelined by a stress reaction in his elbow. It never stopped barking, which seemed to mystify the LSU coaching staff, and he also developed chronic digestive issues that required dramatic changes to his diet.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe ended up at Kent State in 2016 and intended to pitch in 2017, but the NCAA ruled he was required to redshirt rather than play after transferring. Latz was able to get healthy and throw bullpen sessions, though, and the Rangers selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.That was nine years ago, and though only 30, Latz is a little on the older side for an MLB player with