"Baseball insider Jeff Passan at ESPN reported earlier today that Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami and the White Sox have agreed on a two-year deal worth $34 million. A third baseman by trade, Passan adds that Murakami has passed his physical and will play first base for his new team. The 25-year-old is one of the most prolific hitters to make the jump from Japan in recent memory. The left-handed bat boasts 246 home runs across eight seasons and 892 games in Nippon Professional Baseball, all with the Yakult Swallows."
"Last season, Murakami missed considerable time on the sidelines while he dealt with an oblique injury, but still showed that he can hit the long ball, collecting 22 home runs in just 187 at-bats while finishing with a .273/.379/.663 slash line. For his career, Murakami owns a .270/.394/.557 line with his impressive home run total, 647 RBIs, and a .951 OPS. Baseball fans may also recall the moonshot he hit off Merrill Kelly during the World Baseball Classic championship game in 2023, tying the game at 1-1 in the second inning."
Munetaka Murakami agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract with the Chicago White Sox and will play first base after passing his physical. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter amassed 246 home runs over eight Nippon Professional Baseball seasons with the Yakult Swallows, including 56 homers in 2022 and 36 as a 19-year-old. He dealt with an oblique injury last season but still hit 22 homers in 187 at-bats and posted a .273/.379/.663 slash line in that span. Career numbers include a .270/.394/.557 line, 647 RBIs, a .951 OPS, and persistent strikeout concerns that could follow him to MLB. The two-year term returns him to free agency at age 27.
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