SURPRISE, Ariz. — The morning after leading Lemont High School to its first-ever Illinois State Championship in a boys sport, Jacob Latz wasted no time starting the next chapter of his career. Rather than lingering for graduation ceremonies or celebrations, he immediately set off toward Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, determined to capture an NCAA title on his way to competing for a World Series ring. His focus has consistently been on forging a path to the Rangers rotation, with the primary ambition of earning a starting spot.
Yet, his journey has been filled with unexpected setbacks and detours. An elbow fracture requiring two surgeries, the complicated repositioning of a nerve, complications from an ulcer, and episodes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have all slowed Latz’s progress. Added to this was a move to Kent, Ohio, where NCAA rules kept him from pitching in official games during a critical transfer year. This seven-year minor league tenure included a shift from starter to bullpen roles, and even last season saw periods where he was sent back to the minors before a breakout showing reaffirmed his potential.
Overcoming Obstacles with Resilience and Determination
Throughout these challenges, Latz’s perseverance has not faltered. Mike Papierski, his high school catcher, LSU teammate, and longtime friend, praised Latz’s mental toughness.
“He is unbelievable in that regard,”
Papierski said, highlighting how Latz remained focused despite adversity. This resilience was evident during his most recent spring outing, where Latz threw two scoreless innings on just 26 pitches, striking out six batters and allowing no walks, home runs, or runs—a feat unmatched by other starters so far in spring training.
Even with this strong start, Latz’s role with the Rangers this season remains uncertain. His future as the team’s fifth starter depends partly on how fellow pitcher Kumar Rocker performs, and whether the Rangers opt to deploy Latz instead in a versatile relief role. Latz himself expressed both hope and patience regarding his spot on the roster.
“I would love to go to the [Rangers] and be like, ‘What would happen if I’m lights out in the spring?’”
he told The Dallas Morning News.
“Would I still get it or are they going to go with someone else because he’s in good form, too? It’s interesting. I haven’t gotten clarity. And through all this stuff I’ve been through, I’ve learned not to get caught up in all that because you control only what you control.”
Reflecting on his journey, Latz also shared the invaluable lessons gained from his hardships.
“Life happens. I’ve gained so much patience — true patience — through all the mental and physical adversity, it was invaluable to me beyond the stuff I accomplished on the field.”
Building Strength and Focusing on a Starting Role
Latz’s career trajectory underscores both patience and persistence. At nearly 30 years old and with the longest tenure in the Rangers organization, he is the only remaining player from the 2017 draft class still with the team. Despite just under two years of major league service time, his route was anything but linear.
After leaving LSU due to injuries and mental challenges managing elbow pain, Latz transferred to Kent State in hopes of an immediate return to the mound. The NCAA ultimately denied him eligibility to pitch in games that season, but the coaching staff created “Latz Day” — a weekly intrasquad event showcasing his skills to scouts. During this difficult period, his roommate Bryan Soth, once a fellow baseball player facing his own career crisis, recalled how they supported each other.
“It went very quickly from, ‘What a great year this is going to be’ to ‘What are we going to do?’”
Soth said.
“His mental side stayed so strong. He was committed and focused, despite not being able to play. He made the team better even though he wasn’t officially playing. It was awesome to see his level of commitment.”
Both men used this downtime to improve their craft, including traveling to Baton Rouge for nutritional guidance. Latz, who has dealt with gluten intolerance since childhood and intermittent IBS, had worked with a specialist to revamp his diet for peak performance. During an interview, his lunch order— a cheeseburger without cheese, bun, or onion, but with avocado and fruit instead of fries—highlighted his careful attention to nutrition and recovery.
His off-season included hiring a personal pitching coach and spending extensive time at the Titleist Performance Institute in Los Angeles to refine his pitching mechanics and improve his physical condition. These efforts aimed to help him secure a spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation and to enhance his endurance and velocity over long outings.
Pitching Versatility Adds Value Amid Rotation Competition
Latz’s work ethic and adaptability have been compared to that of C.J. Wilson, who also transitioned successfully into a dependable starting pitcher. After finishing the previous season with a strong outing in Cleveland, the Rangers encouraged Latz to prepare as a starter during the offseason, though with no guarantee of a role in the starting five. Unlike earlier seasons when the Rangers relied heavily on desperate measures to fill rotational gaps, the competition is stiffer, pushing Latz to continue evolving.
“I think the biggest reason why I want the opportunity is because some of my best traits are being able to adjust in game, being able to navigate a whole lineup, having multiple weapons to get guys out and having balanced ability against lefties and righties,”
Latz explained.
“And I love the fact that you can not have your ‘A’ game right away, but still find a way to get a win or a quality start or go deep into the game. It’s a game where you are never perfect, and I like having to figure out how to get through things, rather than just being on a short sprint.”
While Latz is excited about the potential challenge of a bullpen role, he believes his strongest contributions come as a starter.
“If I end up being in a leverage role in the bullpen, it will be really exciting for me, but I feel like my true colors show more as a starter than a reliever.”
Organizational Decisions May Shape Role Despite Strong Performance
Despite Latz’s impressive track record, the ultimate decision on where he fits for the Rangers lies beyond his control. The presence of Kumar Rocker as a candidate for the fifth starter spot adds uncertainty, as Rocker’s success in spring training could influence Latz’s role. Nevertheless, Latz’s effectiveness in both the bullpen and starting rotation is rare and highly valued by the team.
Manager Skip Schumaker praised Latz’s approach, remarking,
“He’s going about it exactly like he should be. He’s doing everything he can on the field and inside the clubhouse to show he’s ready for the fifth spot in the rotation. It’s a good and a bad thing, how good he is in the bullpen and as a starter. He’s so valuable to our club; it’s so hard to find that type of pitcher in the industry that can do both and be successful at it. But he is. He’s attacking it like he’s going to win the fifth spot.”
To build stamina necessary for longer outings, Latz focused offseason training on maintaining velocity deeper into games and improving his ability to face hitters multiple times. After a dip in his fastball velocity midway through last season, he regained much of his speed before the end of the campaign. Additionally, refining his curveball and tweaking his pitching mechanics aimed to help him remain on plane for better control. One clear improvement was his first-pitch strike percentage, which rose during his spring outing to 75%, well above his career average of 57%.
Jordan Tiegs, the Rangers’ pitching coach who worked with Latz in the minors and reconnected with him last year as bullpen coach, noted notable growth:
“Jake knows the answers already. He’s been able to connect the dots himself. He’s answering his own questions or giving me what he’s going to do before I’m even giving it to him. To me, that’s the ultimate growth. He has a plan, a specific goal and it’s all related to the starting component. He has grown so much.”
Clarity and Persistence Define His Path Forward
What sets Latz apart is his unwavering commitment to his long-term vision despite obstacles. Injuries, transfers, and role changes have not shaken his focus on pitching as a starter at the highest level.
“If I’d gotten this chance, say, five years ago, I probably would have been okay,”
Latz reflected.
“But I think it’s perfect timing, really, for me to take it in stride and then reach the level that I’ve wanted and envisioned for myself.”
As the Rangers finalize their pitching staff in the coming weeks, Latz’s combination of experience, versatility, and mental toughness could secure him a vital role. Whether as a consistent starter or a dynamic bullpen piece, his journey exemplifies determination and adaptability, qualities the Rangers will need as they chase postseason success.
