Jacob Latz #67

Jacob Eugene Latz…sat out the 2017 season at Kent State University after transferring from Louisiana State University…did not pitch for the Golden Flashes, but was enrolled in the school at the time of his selection by Texas in the fifth round of that year’s draft…was LSU’s starting pitcher in the championship game of the NCAA Regional against Rice…graduated from Lemont (Ill.) High School and was named the 2014 Illinois Player of the Year after recording 114 strikeouts in 62.1 innings during his senior season…was also selected by the TOR in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, but did not sign…his father, Jeff, played basketball at Angelo State University…enjoys playing golf and traveling in his free time.

2023

Totaled 6.1 SHO IP (1 H, 3 BB, 5 SO) over three relief appearances for the Rangers in 2023…had his contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock on 9/16 and made first ML app. of season on 9/17 at CLE…signaled the lefty’s first big league action since making Major League debut on 8/25/21 at CLE (753 days between app.), with both games taking place at Cleveland’s Progressive Field…posted scoreless outing on 9/26 at LAA (2.1 IP, 2 SO) before being optioned back to Round Rock on 9/27…was recalled once more on 9/29 to make final big league appearance at SEA (2.0 IP, 2 SO) ahead of season-ending option on 9/30…Texas trailed by eight runs in all three contests at the time of his entrance.

2022

Spent the entire season with Round Rock (AAA), posting a 5-5 record and 5.77 ERA (34 ER/53.0 IP) over 19 G/10 GS... transitioned to a relief role later in the summer after 10 of his first 11 outings were starts...went 3-5, 5.72 ERA (25 ER/39.1 IP) as a starter and 2-0, 5.93 ERA (9 ER/13.2 IP) in relief...had a higher SO/9 figure in starts (10.5) than as a reliever (8.6)...missed nearly three months on the Injured List (6/15-9/5) while dealing with a shoulder impingement.

2021

Added to the Rangers’ active roster as a replacement player from Round Rock on 8/25 after Dane Dunning was placed on the COVID-19 Related Injured List… made his Major League debut as the starting pitcher that night at CLE (L, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R-ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR), his only Major League outing to date…the 3 HR allowed tied the club record for a ML debut (6th time)…returned to Round Rock on 8/30. MINORS IN 2021: Combined to go 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA (46 ER/96.1 IP) and 11.1 strikeouts per 9 innings over 22 games/19 starts for Round Rock and Frisco, establishing a new career-high for innings pitched, strikeouts (119), games, and starts… ranked among Texas organizational leaders in innings (T2nd) and strikeouts (3rd)…began the year with Frisco and received a promotion to Round Rock on 8/10…spent the remainder of the campaign with the Express outside of his brief Major League stint, going 1-1, 2.25 (6 ER/24.0 IP) with a .195 opp. BA over his final 5 starts after being returned to Triple-A.

2020

Was not included on initial 60-man Club Player Pool roster at the outset of Summer Camp…in August, made six appearances for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Constellation Energy League: 2-1, 4.35 ERA (five ER/10.1 IP) in 6 G/2 GS, 10 BB/15 SO, one HR, .118 opp. BA…Skeeters were managed by former Ranger Pete Incaviglia…was later added to Texas’ 60-man Club Player Pool on 9/4 and participated in the team’s Alternate Training Site activities through the end of the regular season…was not part of team’s fall development camp.

2019

Combined to go 7-1, 1.62 (11 ER/61.0 IP) in 13 G/ GS for Down East (High-A) and Hickory (A) before an elbow injury ended his season…was on injured list from 6/23-end of season with a left elbow sprain…ranked among Carolina League leaders (min. 50 IP) in opp. BA (1st, .157), WHIP (2nd, 0.98), ERA (3rd, 1.76)…opened season with 2 starts at Hickory (2-0, 10.0 IP, 2 R-1 ER, 3 BB, 14 SO) and was promoted for High-A debut on 4/17 at Salem (3.0 IP, 1 R-0 ER)…over final 7 starts with Wood Ducks before his injury: 5-0, 0.48 (2 ER/37.2 IP), 12 BB/45 SO, .130/.204/.220/.424 opp. slash…named CL Pitcher of the Week for 5/27-6/2 and earned Texas’ internal Starter of the Month award for May.

2018

With Spokane (Short Season A), ranked among Northwest League leaders in wins (T2nd, 6), strikeouts (4th, 67), WHIP (7th, 1.23), and ERA (8th, 3.93)...held opponents to a .232/.303/.339/.643 slash line...was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA (8 ER/35.1 IP) and 36 SO/11 BB over final 6 starts, including season-best 11 SO over 5.2 SHO IP in final start of regular season on 9/1 vs. Vancouver…named NWL Pitcher of the Week for 8/27-9/2…took loss in his only postseason start, semifinals Game 2 vs. Everett.