"Where in the world will Munetaka Murakami sign? The slugger is the next great player set to leave Japan and come stateside. Unlike others in recent memory who've been pitchers or outfielders, Murakami profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat having positional versatility to man first or third base (as well as being a designated hitter)."
"There is a real concern that Munetaka Murakami's difficulties with in-zone contact and high velocity will lead to volatility and a lengthy adjustment period in MLB.Still, his youth and raw power give him the upside to grow into a Rafael Devers- or Matt Olson-type superstar. https://t.co/iBRrYCbY3C pic.twitter.com/pPgJZgIy8r - Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) October 19, 2025"
""Nikkan Sports reported this week that the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Mariners are among the teams that could make a big push for Murakami, who hit 22 home runs with 47 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS in 56 games during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, flashing the type of power he showed in his 56-homer season. Sources say the Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox could also be in the mix, though much of it will depend on how each team views his ability to play first and/or third, or his willingness to be a designated hitter.""
Munetaka Murakami projects as a middle-of-the-order power bat leaving Japan for MLB with the ability to play first base, third base, or serve as a designated hitter. He produced a 56-homer season previously and hit 22 home runs with 47 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS in 56 games during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Multiple contenders including the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Mariners, Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox are reported to be interested. Concerns exist about his in-zone contact rates and handling high-velocity pitching, which could cause volatility and require an extended adjustment period. Youth and raw power create high upside comparable to Rafael Devers or Matt Olson.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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