"The 25-year-old has until Monday at 5 p.m. ET until his 45-day window to sign with a major-league club expires after he was posted early last month by his NPB team, the Yakult Swallows. If he is unsigned by then, he must return to Japan for the 2026 season. His offensive upside is undeniable. He hit an NPB record 56 home runs back in 2022 and has been one of the more consistent sluggers since."
"Murakami is viewed as a first baseman by MLB clubs, despite being a natural third baseman, and a liability at that. His strikeout rate is alarmingly high, flirting with 30% against weaker pitching in Japan. He has also struggled mightily against high-velocity pitchers over 93 mph, which might be providing pause for teams that would have to dole out a sizable contract for his services."
"The ceiling for him is a [Rafael] Devers, [Matt] Olson, [Nick] Kurtz-esque superstar capable of a .900+ OPS and 50+ HR season The 50th percentile outcome for me is indeed [Joey] Gallo, but the good version of him. I do think it will take time for him to adjust, though. And he needs time to figure it out at the MLB level, even if he's striking out like 40% of the time for the first month, because he's not going to get better"
Munetaka Murakami remains available to sign with an MLB club but faces a 45-day posting window that ends Monday at 5 p.m. ET, after which he must return to Japan for 2026 if unsigned. He produced an NPB record 56 home runs in 2022 and offers elite power. MLB teams project him as a first baseman rather than a third baseman and view his defense as a liability. His strikeout rate nears 30% in Japan and he has struggled against pitchers throwing over 93 mph. Some evaluators see a Devers/Olson-level ceiling but expect an adjustment period and uneven early results.
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