"Munetaka Murakami is a left-handed hitting 25-year-old who has been playing in Japan's NPB-and absolutely tearing it up offensively-since he was a teenager. Recently posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, he's about to become a big leaguer in MLB. He has until December 22 at 5 p.m. ET to pass a physical and sign on the dotted line. He played third base in Japan and spent a bit of time at first base too."
"Murakami broke the NPB single-season home-run record for a Japanese-born player. He's won two back-to-back Central League MVP awards in Japan and helped his team win a Japan Series title. He was a star for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in 2023, clobbering a walk-off double, then hitting a second-deck home run with an exit velo of 115 mph in the championship game, on the way to defeating the US."
"Offensively, he's been compared to Shohei Ohtani-and not simply because they're both from Japan. They had very similar profiles at the dawn of their respective MLB careers. To look at it through another lens, he is known as Murakami-sama in Japan. Fans call him that because only a kami-sama, a god, could do what he does at the plate. And that nickname was Japan's Word of the Year in 2022 which is one of the coolest accolades you could ever achieve."
Munetaka Murakami is a 25-year-old left-handed hitter posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and available until December 22 at 5 p.m. ET to sign. He played third base and some first base in NPB but projects best as a first baseman or full-time designated hitter because defense is not a strength. He broke the NPB single-season home-run record for a Japanese-born player, won back-to-back Central League MVP awards, and helped win a Japan Series title. He starred in the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a walk-off double and a 115 mph exit-velocity home run. Teams view him as a high-ceiling offensive talent comparable to early-career Shohei Ohtani and are highly interested.
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