For the first time in his career, Texas Rangers left-hander Jacob Latz is an All-Star.

Latz was named to the American League All-Star team on Saturday, and he found out about his selection following the Rangers’ loss to the Detroit Tigers. On Sunday, he joined Rangers Sports Network to talk about his career milestone.

"It doesn't sound real," Latz said. "I mean, I think it'll be, it'll set in when I actually get there in Philly, but couldn't say it was a goal of mine coming into this year, but pretty honored and appreciative to have it happen."

Latz, 30, has appeared in 33 games (one start) for the Rangers this season and has a 1-1 record with a 1.71 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP over 42 innings of work. This season, Latz has taken on various roles, and they have been beneficial to him.

"Well, I think it kind of all just served a good purpose coming into this role this year," Latz said. "You know, doing a little bit of everything has given me a different lens to look at pitching through. You know, starting, relieving, long relief, leverage innings, getting sent down, all that.

"So, I think it all served me well for those high pressure situations where I'm able to go out there and take it all in and try to just, you know, throw it into the strike zone and see what happens and kind of with the freedom behind it," he added.

Latz also took a moment to talk about the significance of his faith and the impact of his family and teammates.

"And yeah, but I really just want to take the time to thank God for the journey that I've been put on through this and to represent and give, you know, my glory to Him," Latz said. "Because without that and my family who supported me along the way, I don't think I'd be standing here today. 

"And shout out to my teammates, too, who have been really, you know, just everyone's been a good group," Latz added. "We've been fighting and so it's been good to kind of at least be a representation of this team for that game."

For Latz, the journey as a pitcher in Major League Baseball has been supplemented and supported by those around him in the organization from the past and present. Individuals such as former manager Bruce Bochy and star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi have made an impact on him.

"Man, honestly, really the people that I've been surrounded by," Latz said. "You know, breaking camp in ‘24 with Bochy, the manager, CY in there, Mike Maddox, the pitching coach, and then you got Valdi in the ground leading the pitching staff.

"I was surrounded by Kirby Yates, David Robertson," he added. "And so, just being around those people helped me, felt like I belonged and then getting a little bit of success along the way, grew my confidence and then sharing it with some of my closer friends as well in the minor leagues."

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