Chicago White Sox Seeing Early Returns In Munetaka Murakami Investment
Despite being the youngest player in Nippon Professional Baseball to hit for the triple crown, setting a single-season record by hitting 56 home runs, and winning an MVP award, Munetaka Murakami sat idly by waiting for his phone to ring this winter.
At just 26 years old, many assumed he would be one of the most sought-after free agents of the offseason. But MLB teams were wary of his high whiff rate on pitches in the strike zone. Over the past three seasons, Murakami averaged a 28% strikeout rate, well above last season’s MLB average of just over 22%, while his 72.6% contact rate on pitches in the strike zone would also have ranked among the lowest in the majors.
The lack of interest allowed the White Sox to swoop and secure him on a higher-dollar, short-term deal. But even White Sox had their reservations. The two-year, $34 million contract was so uncharacteristic for the White Sox that Chris Getz admitted during Murakami’s introductory press conference that he worked closely with the club’s marketing team to persuade Jerry Reinsdorf of Murakami’s significant international impact, helping push the deal across the finish line.
Just three games into the 2026 season, Murakami has wasted little time proving he was worth the investment. He has recorded a solo home run in each of his first three games, including a 375-foot shot to center field on Sunday, that left his bat at 102 mph. The hot start has resulted in a 2.700 OPS, which currently leads the major leagues.
Murakami is now one of four players to homer in at least their first three regular-season games, joining Trevor Story, Kyle Lewis, and Chase LeLauter. For his teammates who have watched him this spring, the power surge comes as no surprise. Murakami was billed as a power hitter when he joined the team, and he even admitted that it is the strongest aspect of his game.
“It’s what I expected, watching him for two years in Japan. I’m not surprised by it,” White Sox starter Anthony Kay told MLB.com. “I know some people are, but I’ve seen it. I’m not surprised.”
What has been surprising has been his plate discipline. While he’s struck out four times in three games, he’s also drawn four walks, including two against Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, one of which came after falling behind 0-2 in the count.
A major reason why is that he has not been expanding his strike zone. Despite a high whiff rate, which was to be expected, Murakami only owns a 22% chase rate. While the sample size is small, it is an encouraging sign. If Murakami can maintain this plate discipline, he is going to see more mistakes in the strike zone. With an average exit velocity of 94 mph so far this season, those mistakes are likely to translate into even more homers.
He’s already joined some elite company on the White Sox all-time leader board. His three home runs have him tied for 436th on the White Sox home run rankings, joining Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr and Ed Walsh (though Walsh was a pitcher who played 13 seasons with the White Sox).
Jokes aside, Murakami has the potential to climb that leaderboard quickly. He’s finding early success even while still learning how MLB pitchers attack him. In the first three games, he told reporters he’s been tuning in to White Sox PitchCom to get a better understanding of what pitchers are likely to throw in different situations.
As Murakami continues to refine his craft, he is only going to become more dangerous at the plate.