Out
Injury Hamstring
Est. Return 6/12/2026
2026 Stats
AVG
.242
HR
20
RBI
41
R
43
SB
1
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.
Facing multi-week absence
Manager Will Venable said after Friday's win over the Tigers that Murakami (hamstring) could be sidelined for a couple of weeks, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Murakami tweaked his hamstring while running to first base in the third inning, and although the Sox have yet to receive any imaging results, they seem to be working under the assumption that he'll have to spend time on the IL with a strain. Miguel Vargas could move over to first while Murakami is sidelined, which could open up more playing time for Luisangel Acuna or Jacob Gonzalez, who is expected to come up from Triple-A Charlotte once Murakami officially lands on the IL.
Murakami tweaked his hamstring while running to first base in the third inning, and although the Sox have yet to receive any imaging results, they seem to be working under the assumption that he'll have to spend time on the IL with a strain. Miguel Vargas could move over to first while Murakami is sidelined, which could open up more playing time for Luisangel Acuna or Jacob Gonzalez, who is expected to come up from Triple-A Charlotte once Murakami officially lands on the IL.
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
38
1
1
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
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#9
2
11
1
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2024
+22%
OPS vs RHP
2026
+22%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .817 | 72 | 4 | 12 | .211 | ||||
| Since 2024vs Right | .999 | 172 | 16 | 29 | .255 | ||||
| 2026vs Left | .817 | 72 | 4 | 12 | .211 | ||||
| 2026vs Right | .999 | 172 | 16 | 29 | .255 | ||||
| 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
+6%
OPS on Road
2026
+6%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024Home | .919 | 120 | 10 | 18 | .219 | ||||
| Since 2024Away | .974 | 124 | 10 | 23 | .265 | ||||
| 2026Home | .919 | 120 | 10 | 18 | .219 | ||||
| 2026Away | .974 | 124 | 10 | 23 | .265 | ||||
| 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
0.56BB Rate
18.0%K Rate
32.4%BABIP
.280ISO
.323AVG
.242OBP
.381SLG
.566OPS
.947wOBA
.403Exit Velocity
93.9 mphHard Hit Rate
42.5%Barrels/PA
9.0%Expected BA
.217Expected SLG
.516Sprint Speed
22.6 ft/secGround Ball %
41.7%Line Drive %
11.7%Fly Ball %
46.7%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
Exits with hamstring tightness
Murakami was removed from Friday's game against the Tigers with right hamstring tightness.
Analysis
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Hits 20th home run in win
Murakami went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's win against the Twins.
Analysis
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Launches 19th homer of season
Murakami went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Twins.
Analysis
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Slugs 18th homer in win
Murakami went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's 3-1 win over the Twins.
Analysis
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Crushes two homers Saturday
Murakami went 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs, three RBI and an additional run scored during the White Sox's 8-3 win over the Cubs on Saturday.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Makes history with Friday's homer
Murakami's home run during the White Sox's 12-8 loss to the Mariners on Friday set an MLB record as the Japanese slugger went deep in an eighth straight series opener, per Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports.
Analysis
Murakami's 15 home runs are also tied for most in the majors with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. The previous record for consecutive series-opening homers was set by Eddie Murray in 1987. Murakami's two-year, $34 million contract with the South Siders looks to be one of the best bargain contracts in baseball, with the 26-year-old sporting a .922 OPS with 29 RBI and 28 runs across 169 plate appearances, though his 59 strikeouts are tied for second most in the majors behind James Wood's 60.
Murakami's 15 home runs are also tied for most in the majors with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. The previous record for consecutive series-opening homers was set by Eddie Murray in 1987. Murakami's two-year, $34 million contract with the South Siders looks to be one of the best bargain contracts in baseball, with the 26-year-old sporting a .922 OPS with 29 RBI and 28 runs across 169 plate appearances, though his 59 strikeouts are tied for second most in the majors behind James Wood's 60.