2026 Stats
AVG
.209
HR
7
RBI
14
R
15
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
If Murakami had been able to come to MLB after his age-22 season back in 2022, the story would be different. That year, he hit 56 homers while slashing .318/.458/.710, winning a Triple Crown and an MVP award. He also struck out 20.9% of the time, slightly worse than the NPB average but a very tolerable mark. Since then, he's struck out at least 28% of the time for three straight seasons and has topped out at a more modest 33 homers. He's also dealt with multiple injuries, limiting him to 56 games last year. Additionally, while he's primarily played third base in Japan, he fits best at first base or DH. It all adds up to one of the widest range of possible outcomes for any player in baseball next season. If he's able to make a passable amount of contact, the power upside could be up there with the best hitters in the league. But given his big struggles with whiffs against NPB pitching, there's every chance he fails to make enough contact to earn everyday at-bats. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox in December of 2025. Contract includes $250,000 bonus for Rookie of the Year Award.
Swats seventh homer, walks thrice
Murakami went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and three walks in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.
Analysis
Murakami entered play Saturday with a putrid .063 average and 4:10 BB:K across 21 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Facing lefty Hogan Harris in the top of the seventh inning, Murakami took him deep to center field. Both of his hits against left-handers this season are home runs, and overall the Japanese slugger is slashing .209/.386/.522 with seven homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored and a 20:29 BB:K across his first 88 major-league plate appearances. Murakami still needs to cut down on his 33 percent strikeout rate, but a 23 percent walk rate and his power have made up for the swing-and-miss thus far.
Murakami entered play Saturday with a putrid .063 average and 4:10 BB:K across 21 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Facing lefty Hogan Harris in the top of the seventh inning, Murakami took him deep to center field. Both of his hits against left-handers this season are home runs, and overall the Japanese slugger is slashing .209/.386/.522 with seven homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored and a 20:29 BB:K across his first 88 major-league plate appearances. Murakami still needs to cut down on his 33 percent strikeout rate, but a 23 percent walk rate and his power have made up for the swing-and-miss thus far.
Batting Stats
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2026 MLB Game Log
2026
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
12
1
1
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
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#9
5
1
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2024
+30%
OPS vs RHP
2026
+30%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .743 | 22 | 2 | 4 | .118 | ||||
| Since 2024vs Right | .964 | 66 | 5 | 10 | .240 | ||||
| 2026vs Left | .743 | 22 | 2 | 4 | .118 | ||||
| 2026vs Right | .964 | 66 | 5 | 10 | .240 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
| Minor League Splits→ | View Minor League Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2024
+31%
OPS on Road
2026
+31%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024Home | .769 | 36 | 2 | 5 | .185 | ||||
| Since 2024Away | 1.004 | 52 | 5 | 9 | .225 | ||||
| 2026Home | .769 | 36 | 2 | 5 | .185 | ||||
| 2026Away | 1.004 | 52 | 5 | 9 | .225 | ||||
| 2025Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2025Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Munetaka Murakami compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.69BB Rate
22.7%K Rate
33.0%BABIP
.219ISO
.313AVG
.209OBP
.386SLG
.522OPS
.909wOBA
.388Exit Velocity
95.0 mphHard Hit Rate
51.3%Barrels/PA
11.4%Expected BA
.236Expected SLG
.590Sprint Speed
23.1 ft/secGround Ball %
41.0%Line Drive %
12.8%Fly Ball %
46.2%Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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More Fantasy News
Powers ChiSox with grand slam
Murakami went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and two runs scored in Friday's 9-2 win over the Athletics.
Analysis
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Launches late home run
Murakami went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, two walks and an additional run scored during the White Sox's 8-5 loss to the Rays on Tuesday.
Analysis
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Strikes out twice Saturday
Murakami went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts during the White Sox's 2-0 loss to the Royals on Saturday.
Analysis
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Receiving first day off
Murakami is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.
Analysis
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Stays hot with another homer
Murakami went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during the White Sox's 9-7 loss to the Brewers on Sunday.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Fielded longer offers
Murakami turned down longer contract offers with a lower average annual value before agreeing to a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Analysis
The swing-and-miss in Murakami's stroke -- he posted a 28.5 percent strikeout rate across the past three seasons in Japan -- made MLB teams hesitant to make a stronger financial commitment long term, so the 25-year-old will now get a two-year look in Chicago before returning to free agency. He averaged 33 home runs during his eight years in Nippon Professional Baseball and should slot into the middle of a White Sox lineup that desperately needs some pop.
The swing-and-miss in Murakami's stroke -- he posted a 28.5 percent strikeout rate across the past three seasons in Japan -- made MLB teams hesitant to make a stronger financial commitment long term, so the 25-year-old will now get a two-year look in Chicago before returning to free agency. He averaged 33 home runs during his eight years in Nippon Professional Baseball and should slot into the middle of a White Sox lineup that desperately needs some pop.