As spring training wraps up, the spotlight shines brightly on Jacob Latz, who faced a tough outing against the Brewers, allowing nine runs (seven earned) over three innings. But don’t let this final performance overshadow his potential.
As manager Schumaker pointed out, “You don’t make or break a team or a position on the last day of spring.” Latz has shown he’s a formidable pitcher, and his health and overall spring performance are promising signs for the season ahead.
The battle for the Rangers’ fifth starter spot has been intense, with Latz, Kumar Rocker, and veterans Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber all in the mix. Ryan Brasier’s release adds another twist as decisions loom.
Latz is transitioning back to a full-time starter role for the first time since 2022, and while the results have been mixed, his focus remains on the process. “I definitely wish I had better results,” Latz admitted.
Yet, he’s confident in his foundation and the lessons learned this spring. “The stuff still plays,” he noted, highlighting his readiness for the upcoming season.
Kumar Rocker, meanwhile, has had a more consistent spring. After a rocky 2025, which saw him bouncing between the majors and Triple-A, Rocker has made strides in his mechanics. His fastball consistently hits 97-99 mph, but he’s still refining his mental game, including pitch variety and controlling the run game.
“There’s some good and some stuff that he still needs to work on,” Schumaker observed. Rocker’s changeup is a work in progress, and developing that third pitch could be crucial. Schumaker believes that once Rocker puts it all together, he’s poised to become one of the league’s top starters.
As camp concludes, the Rangers face a crucial decision. Each pitcher in the competition for the rotation spot has made a compelling case.
Chris Young, president of baseball operations, emphasized the role’s importance: “We’re not looking for a Jacob deGrom-level performance. We want them to just keep us in the game, give us 15 outs and let us turn it over to the ‘pen.”
With such a strong group, the Rangers are in a good position to choose a starter who can help them succeed in the regular season.
