"He was limited to just 56 games because of an oblique injury but still batted .273/.379/.663 with 22 doubles and 47 RBI this year. Now, the 25-year-old is on the verge of getting posted by the Swallows for MLB free agency, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan: Japanese star third baseman Munetaka Murakami is entering the posting system Friday, officially starting the process of one of the most anticipated free agencies of the winter, sources told ESPN."
"Murakami broke the home run record for a Japanese player in NPB when he slugged 56 in 2022. It surpassed Sadaharu Oh's record of 55 home runs that he set in 1964. That same season saw Murakami win the Triple Crown, becoming the youngest player in NPB history to do so at the age of 22. Murakami has hit 246 home runs across his eight seasons with the Swallows."
"He's primarily a third baseman but does have some experience at first base as well. With respect to his MLB future, some have wondered if Murakami would be better suited at first base for the long term. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been connected to Murakami at various points over recent years, not just because of their on-field success as back-to-back World Series champions, but also due to seemingly establishing a foothold in Japan behind the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki."
Munetaka Murakami completed his eighth NPB season with the Yakult Swallows, hitting .273/.379/.663 with 22 doubles and 47 RBI despite an oblique-limited 56-game year. The 25-year-old is entering the posting system and will be available to negotiate with MLB teams during a 45-day window. Murakami set the Japanese single-season home run record with 56 in 2022, surpassed Sadaharu Oh's 55, won the Triple Crown that year at age 22, and has 246 career NPB home runs. He is primarily a third baseman with some first-base experience, and multiple MLB clubs are expected to show interest.
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