ARLINGTON, Texas >> No one is more impressed with the skills Isiah Kiner-Falefa has displayed in his first 18 games behind the plate for the Texas Rangers than their fourth-year manager, Jeff Banister.

That’s because Banister is a former catcher who knows how difficult it is for any player to transition from the minors to the majors behind the plate, much less someone who’s only been catching for two years like this versatile Honolulu native has.

“He’s an infielder by trade. He’s catching and he’s learning at the major league level. All of it’s impressive,” Banister said. “The physical talent of how he receives the ball, actions on balls in the dirt have been solid. I think all the umpires have enjoyed working behind him that I’ve talked to, which tells you he’s presenting the baseball well. The preparation has been solid.”

On April 10, Kiner-Falefa, 23, made his big-league debut against the Angels as an infielder, and the big question was when the Mid-Pacific graduate would debut behind the plate. That day didn’t come until June 20 at Kansas City, a game he ended by throwing out a runner at second for the final out on a throw that missed Texas reliever Jake Diekman, since traded to Arizona, by an eyelash.

“When I almost hit Diekman in the head in Kansas City (that was my welcome to the big leagues moment at catcher),” Kiner-Falefa admitted. “I almost took his head off. The game’s over, the team won its first game with me behind the plate. It was a pretty cool experience, but weird because I almost killed him.”

Against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Kiner-Falefa made his 18th appearance behind the dish, and thus far the returns have been solid. He has yet to allow a passed ball and has gunned down four of six opposing baserunners.

He credits the footwork learned as an infielder and his natural arm strength for helping make him effective at throwing runners out. “I feel like it’s more of the footwork, the quickness,” he said. “Something I know that’s always there is the footwork. Turning a double play, it’s the same footwork you have when you’re throwing a guy out.”

“I take all the quickness I have in the infield and try to incorporate that back there. I try to get rid of the ball as quick as I can and efficiently. Sometimes it’s a weak throw, sometimes it’s a good throw, but the main thing is I’m just trying to get it there as quick as possible, whatever it takes.”

In June, Banister showed immense faith in Kiner-Falefa by designating him Texas’ backup catcher to veteran Robinson Chirinos, someone Kiner-Falefa has looked up to since he started catching in 2016 at Double-A Frisco. Now having the opportunity to see how Chirinos handles his daily business during the season is something he takes full advantage of.

Like Banister, Chirinos is impressed with how Kiner-Falefa has performed thus far.

“He looks great. I think he’s come a long way,” Chirinos said. “Somebody asked me in spring training who was the guy that impressed me most behind the plate and I said his name. He has played smart. He knows what he’s doing. I think he’s going to be a great catcher.”

One big adjustment for Kiner-Falefa in the big leagues has been processing and disseminating the dizzying amount of information he now receives about opposing hitters. But Banister lauds his ability to incorporate this data to make himself a better backstop, to help his pitchers be more effective and to give the Rangers a better chance of winning.

“I have the information now,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I always wanted the information in the minor leagues. It was something I couldn’t get, so it was more learning on the fly. In the minor leagues, I learned how to read their swings. In the big leagues, you know how to read their swings because you can watch film on how to read their swing. Now, it’s taking what the pitcher has and executing it.”

But the ultimate rookie accomplishment for Kiner-Falefa might have come in July when the MLB Player’s Alumni Association selected him as the Rangers’ winner of the Heart and Hustle Award, something rookies don’t typically win.

True to form, Kiner-Falefa credited his Hawaii roots, including his parents, coaches and others who helped him excel along with his current teammates, manager and coaches for the award.

“It means a lot. It just shows everybody was helping me along the way, molding me into what I am today,” he said. “I can’t take all the credit. It all comes down to what they’ve taught me in my discipline and my work ethic, time management. Everything I learned even in high school, all that stuff really had an effect. Credit goes to everybody back home and the minor league coaches who’ve really helped me.”