The Texas Rangers entered the 2026 season looking for reliable answers in their bullpen. While the bullpen struggled to find consistency throughout the year, Jacob Latz emerged as one of the team's most dependable arms and unexpectedly became its primary closer.

The 30-year-old left-hander delivered a breakout campaign, recording 30 saves in 34 opportunities while posting a 2.13 ERA across 72 innings. His performance represented a significant step forward for a pitcher who had spent much of his major-league career moving between different roles.

Before his breakthrough, Latz had primarily worked as a swingman, filling different responsibilities depending on the Rangers' needs. He recorded a 2.84 ERA in 2025 but had yet to establish himself as a regular closer.

His role changed in 2026 as he became a trusted option in high-pressure situations. Latz handled a heavier share of late-inning responsibilities and consistently gave Texas an opportunity to finish games with a lead.

One of the most noticeable differences was his ability to generate more strikeouts while limiting walks. The left-hander had previously struggled to maintain that combination, but his improved command and ability to challenge hitters helped him become more effective.

His success was particularly valuable for a Texas bullpen that finished the season with a 4.47 ERA. Latz provided stability in a group that otherwise had difficulty consistently preventing opposing offenses from scoring.

Latz also benefited from adjustments to his approach on the mound.

The left-hander relied more heavily on his four-seam fastball, a pitch that had already served as one of his primary weapons. By using it more frequently, he found greater success against opposing hitters and made it more difficult for them to produce consistent contact.

His changeup also became a more effective part of his arsenal. Latz increased the pitch's velocity while maintaining a significant difference in speed from his fastball, giving hitters another offering to account for.

The improved combination helped him keep opponents off balance and contributed to his rise as one of Texas' most reliable relievers.

However, maintaining that level of production will be an important challenge. Latz benefited from a particularly favorable season when it came to balls finding holes, and his results could become less impressive if opposing hitters begin finding more open space.

Even so, his improved pitch selection and ability to miss bats provide reasons to believe he can remain an effective major league reliever.

Latz is positioned to remain an important part of Texas' plans in 2027, but the Rangers cannot rely on one pitcher to solve their bullpen problems.

Texas finished 80-82 in 2026 and missed the postseason for the third consecutive year since winning the World Series in 2023. Improving the relief corps will be an important part of the organization's efforts to return to contention.

The Rangers have a rotation that includes established starters Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, alongside younger options such as Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. Strengthening the bullpen would give the club a better chance of protecting leads and getting more out of its starting pitchers.

Latz is also expected to enter salary arbitration for the first time, with his 2027 salary projected at approximately $3 million. He remains under team control for several more seasons, giving Texas an opportunity to retain a productive reliever without immediately facing free agency.