Jacob Latz Emerges as Key Closer for Rangers in 2026

In 2026, Jacob Latz established himself as a prominent closer for the Texas Rangers, achieving a 2.13 ERA over 72 innings and securing 30 saves out of 34 opportunities. This performance came amidst a bullpen that struggled overall, with a combined 4.47 ERA.

Latz, who previously had a mixed track record, significantly improved his strikeout rate to 30.6%, while reducing his walk rate to 8.5%. His changeup became a formidable pitch, leading to a dramatic decrease in opponents' batting average against it. Despite these successes, concerns remain about whether Latz can sustain his performance, especially given his unusually low .182 batting average on balls in play.

As Latz enters arbitration projected to earn $3 million, he remains under team control until 2030. His durability and ability to pitch multiple innings make him a valuable asset for the Rangers, who are looking to enhance their roster after finishing 80-82 in 2026.