Jacob Latz

Latz has seized the Rangers' closer role through elite underlying numbers. His four-seamer carries rare induced vertical break (43.1% of pitches with 19+ inches of IVB from a 52-degree arm angle), his changeup neutralizes platoon disadvantage, and Statcast puts him in the 99th percentile for both xERA and expected batting average. Righties are hitting .079 against him, lefties .163. The full breakdown is today's Scouting Report — add first, read second.

Became Texas's closer by default when Robert Garcia went down with a shoulder injury, then kept the job on merit. His four-seam fastball has the best run value among 274 pitches with 50+ plate appearances this season; hitters are batting just .096 against it. He's closing games, not just holding the role.

Pitcher List has Latz as the top pitcher add for the third straight day. The 0.98 ERA / 0.44 WHIP across 16+ IP is genuine — he's now ranked 10th among all relievers. Robert Garcia is the nominal Rangers closer but Latz is increasingly seeing high-leverage save chances. Add in saves-needy formats.

Pitcher List flagged Latz as a priority-add reliever — he's emerged as the Rangers' top high-leverage arm with elite peripherals (99th-percentile expected metrics, sub-1.10 ERA). Robert Garcia is the nominal closer but Latz is taking over the highest-leverage spots. Holds + saves vulture upside in deep formats.

His run of 16 straight converted saves ended after eight days without work. Hold him: one rusty outing does not erase the role, though runs allowed in three of his last four appearances make Chase Silseth the next name to monitor.

0.83 ERA in 21.2 IP, 6 saves, and manager Skip Schumaker said 'it'd be tough not to give it to Latz.' Still no official closer designation — Junis has 3 saves and has been used ahead of Latz in recent games. Latz is the priority add; Junis has standalone value in two-closer leagues.

Per today's Closer Monkey Ledger, Latz has entered the Rangers' save share. He carries a 1.32 ERA in 13.2 IP. Worth monitoring in deeper leagues where saves are scarce.