It has been three years since the Texas Rangers' run to capture their first World Series, and since then, they have failed to recapture the magic that made them such a special team during that time.

Once again, the Rangers missed the playoffs. They had every opportunity to take the weakened American League West, which was eventually captured by their in-state rivals, the Houston Astros, who ended up being the worst team to make the playoffs.

In addition to missing the postseason, over the last three years, since winning the Fall Classic, the Rangers have also posted losing records in two of the last three years, including an 80-82 record in 2026.

Multiple players who were on the 2023 World Series roster remain, but they are showing their age, which has been accompanied by declining effectiveness. Therefore, it is time for the organization to consider changes if it wants to return to winning ways.

Despite the disappointment that the Rangers and their fans are feeling, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future, and one of them has to do with a certain player.

Recently, ESPN MLB Insider Bradford Doolittle pointed towards the silver linings for each team that did not make the playoffs.

For the Rangers, he emphasized the effectiveness of left-handed reliever Jacob Latz, whose strong 2026 season included his first All-Star selection. Across 58 appearances, Latz posted a 3-4 record with a 2.13 ERA and 30 saves in 34 opportunities. He also pitched 72 innings and logged 83 strikeouts.

As Doolittle underlined, Latz entered the season with just one career save to his name. By the end of it, he became the 19th pitcher in Rangers history to reach the 30-save mark.

Latz is a late bloomer. He has been with the Rangers for the entirety of his career since being selected with the 164th pick in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB draft out of Kent State.

Latz made his debut on Aug. 25, 2021, and that was the lone game he appeared in that season. He spent the 2022 season in the minors and made his return to a big-league mound in 2023.

By the 2024 season, Latz's role was amplified as he appeared in 46 games. In 2025, he appeared in 33 games, which included eight starts, in which he went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA across 85.2 innings of work.

Now, Latz has become a dependable arm late in games. He is an All-Star-caliber player. Moreover, he is not costing the Rangers a lot of money.

Latz is the type of player the Rangers need in their bullpen, and if they can add additional strong pitching around him, then they will be a force to be reckoned with on the mound.