By the end of the 2026 season, Jacob Latz had established himself as the Texas Rangers’ closer, not only for that year but potentially for the future.

It was a surprising development because Latz had filled several roles during his time with Texas. He had worked as a starter and long reliever, but never as a closer.

Latz was particularly valuable as a swingman during the closing stretch of the 2025 season. He replaced injured starters when needed before comfortably returning to long relief.

However, when he arrived in Surprise, Ariz., in February, Latz had one specific objective.

During an interview Friday with MLB Network, Latz explained that he was completely focused on becoming a starting pitcher.

He finished 2025 with eight starts, many coming late in the season, and prepared throughout the offseason to remain in that role.

“My mind was purely focused on being a starting pitcher,” Latz said.

“Going off 2025 I finished the year with eight starts and a lot of them came at the end of the year. So, I felt I was getting prepared for that role.”

Instead, he was unknowingly preparing for something entirely different.

The Rangers placed Latz in competition with Kumar Rocker for the last spot in the starting rotation. Both pitchers received opportunities throughout February and March.

Texas waited until shortly before the season opener to determine that Rocker had done enough to become its fifth starter. Throughout the competition, the Rangers kept a bullpen spot available for Latz if he did not win the job.

The decision was difficult for Latz, who began his minor-league career as a starter and hoped to hold that role in MLB.

Despite his disappointment, Latz accepted the result with his head held high.

“I took it with my head held high,” Latz explained.

Texas clearly valued him, which explained why the team preserved a bullpen position. However, Latz did not begin the season as the closer.

The Rangers initially hoped Robert Garcia or Chris Martin would claim the role. Neither did, and both were injured by the middle of April.

Tyler Alexander received several save opportunities and converted them. Texas finally gave Latz an opportunity to finish games in late April, and he immediately showed he could handle the responsibility.

Latz said the Rangers allowed the role to develop naturally. After losing the rotation competition, he never expected the ninth inning to become a possibility.

“We really let the role unfold on its own,” Latz expressed.

“I didn’t really think when I didn’t break as a starter that the ninth [inning] would be a possibility.”

Manager Skip Schumaker remained hesitant to publicly identify Latz as the closer until the end of May. By that point, however, the role clearly belonged to him.

Latz finished 3-4 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 72 innings over 58 appearances (one start). He converted 30 of 34 save opportunities, recorded three holds and earned his first All-Star selection.

His path demonstrated adaptability, patience and mental strength. Latz absorbed the disappointment of losing a starting job without allowing it to disrupt his preparation.

He remained ready when injuries changed the bullpen hierarchy and embraced an unfamiliar responsibility. Instead of focusing on the role he lost, Latz proved he could thrive in one he never expected to receive.

That is an impressive trajectory for someone who arrived in Arizona hoping to become a starting pitcher.