There’s no doubt that any Major League Baseball player wants to impress his manager. After all, the skipper is the one who dictates playing time and roles within the team.

However, when a player joins a new team that features a new manager, there certinally is an extra emphasis on initial impressions.

On January 20th, the Texas Rangers inked veteran reliever Jakob Junis to a one-year deal, and it hasn’t taken him long to make a positive impression on first-year manager Skip Schumaker.

In five games this season, Junis has pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two batters to even reach base.

“Pitchability,” Schumaker said when discussing what has made Junis so effective early on this season.

“He can manipulate the ball as good as anybody; he throws strikes on both sides of the plate," Schumaker said. "He’s able to spin it to both sides, he has a really good changeup, and he can go fastball at the top. Typically, when the ball’s put in play against him, it’s on the ground, and we have a good defense.”

Schumaker admits he wasn’t quite sure what Junis’ role was going to be this season, but it hasn’t taken long for him to be trusted in the biggest moments.

“From Spring Training to now, I didn’t know what role he was going to be in, and you look up pretty early on, and he’s the highest leverage guy right now, the way he’s going, so he’s been pretty outstanding,” Schumaker said.

On Monday night, we got a glimpse of what Junis’ future role could be, and it was a glimpse that should make Rangers fans hopeful for what’s to come.

With the Rangers leading the Seattle Mariners 2-1, Junis trotted in from the bullpen to try to earn his first save of the season.

Just four pitches later, Junis did exactly that, carving through the heart of the Mariners' order. He got superstar catcher Cal Raleigh to ground into a 3-1 putout and, after hitting center fielder Julio Rodriguez, forced Josh Naylor to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play to end the game.

After the game, Schumaker stopped shy of naming Junis the team’s closer, but there’s no denying the confidence he has in one of his team’s newest additions.

“I think it’s still trying to figure out the role still, I know it’s not the answer you’re looking for right now, I’m going to put anything in pen yet, but I like him [Junis] in high leverage roles,” Schumaker said.

“Sometimes you can lose a game in the seventh inning, so we’re trying to figure out our best guys in the best spots for them and us, but it feels like Junis is getting lefties and righties out and we’re really comfortable with him on the mound,” Schumaker continued.

There’s no denying the personal success that Junis has had, but despite that, he’s still focused on trying to help the team win.

“I know it’s kinda cliche, but pressure is a privilege,” Junis said after his first career save. “Obviously, being in those positions to help the team win, that’s kinda where you wanna be as a pitcher, and it just feels good to be in those situations to come through for the team.”

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