Jacob Latz

Jacob Latz Bio

Jacob Eugene Latz is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021. Latz attended Lemont High School in Lemont, Illinois, where he had an outstanding senior season. He was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014 but chose to play college baseball instead. After his college career, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2017 and has been a part of their organization since then, showcasing his skills at various levels of minor league baseball.

Early Life and Background

Jacob Latz was born on April 8, 1996, in Lemont, Illinois, USA. Growing up in a sports-oriented environment, he developed a passion for baseball at an early age. Latz attended Lemont High School, where he excelled as a pitcher, earning recognition for his outstanding performance on the field. His senior season was particularly remarkable, as he achieved a perfect 10–0 record with an impressive 0.23 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 114 strikeouts over 62+1⁄3 innings. This performance earned him the title of Illinois Player of the Year in 2014.
After high school, Latz opted to pursue college baseball instead of entering the professional ranks immediately. He first attended Louisiana State University, where he faced challenges due to a stress reaction in his left elbow, which sidelined him for the entire 2015 season. Despite this setback, he continued to hone his skills and later transferred to Kent State University, where he played for the baseball team.

Path to Baseball

Latz’s journey to professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft. However, he turned down a $1 million signing bonus to pursue his college career. After transferring to Kent State University, he was drafted again, this time by the Texas Rangers in the 5th round of the 2017 MLB draft. He signed with the Rangers for a $386,100 signing bonus, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Latz made his professional debut in 2017 with the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League. His first season was challenging, as he posted a 0–1 record with a 6.75 ERA over just 2+2⁄3 innings. However, he quickly improved his performance in subsequent seasons, showcasing his potential as a pitcher in the minor leagues.

Jacob Latz Career

Early Career (2017-2019)

Latz’s early career in professional baseball saw him playing for various teams within the Texas Rangers organization. In 2018, he joined the Spokane Indians of the Low–A Northwest League, where he had a successful season, finishing with a 6–3 record and a 3.13 ERA over 71 innings. The following year, he split his time between the Hickory Crawdads and the Down East Wood Ducks, achieving a combined record of 7–1 with a remarkable 1.62 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 61 innings.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Latz continued to develop his skills by joining the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Constellation Energy League. He posted a 2–1 record with a 4.35 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 10+1⁄3 innings during this period.

Breakthrough (2021)

Latz’s breakthrough moment came on August 25, 2021, when he was selected to the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night against the Cleveland Indians, where he pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, striking out four batters but suffering a loss. His debut was a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his talent on a larger stage.
After his debut, Latz returned to the Round Rock Express, where he continued to develop his skills. During the 2022 season, he recorded a 5–5 record with a 5.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 53 innings. Latz returned to the major leagues in 2023, making three scoreless appearances and striking out five batters in 6+1⁄3 innings of work.

Notable Works and Milestones

Jacob Latz’s notable achievements include being named the Illinois Player of the Year in 2014 and making his MLB debut in 2021. His performance in the minor leagues has been impressive, with significant strikeout numbers and low earned run averages in various seasons.

Jacob Latz Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Jacob Latz has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his high school years and early professional career.

Jacob Latz Awards Won

Jacob Latz was awarded the title of Illinois Player of the Year in 2014 for his exceptional performance during his senior year of high school baseball.