- Oct 16, 2026
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Jacob Latz transformed into an unexpected closer for Texas in 2026, posting a 2.13 ERA with 30 saves in 34 chances across 72 innings. The 30-year-old left-hander saw his strikeout rate surge from the 20-22 percent range to 30.6 percent while trimming his walk rate by 2.1 points to 8.5 percent.
Latz leaned more heavily on his four-seamer, raising its usage to 55.6 percent and holding opponents to a .152 average. His changeup became a weapon as well, generating a +8 Run Value after costing him runs the previous year. Batters managed just .080 against the pitch with a dramatic drop in hard contact.
Despite the strong surface numbers, some indicators suggest caution. Latz recorded a .182 BABIP, well below his career mark and league average, and his 89.2 mph average exit velocity placed him in the 35th percentile or worse. He nonetheless stranded runners at a 78.6 percent clip.
The Rangers finished 80-82 and missed the postseason for a third straight year since their 2023 championship. With Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and others set to return to the rotation in 2027, one evaluator noted that "the late-blooming Latz looks like an effective reliever who will anchor the Rangers' bullpen in 2027." Latz is projected to earn $3 million in his first arbitration year, with team control remaining through 2030.
Source: MLB Trade Rumors - Sun Oct 25, 2:21 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).