White Sox Sign Japanese Power Hitter Munetaka Murakami to $34 Million Deal

The Chicago White Sox have secured a significant addition to their roster, signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year contract valued at $34 million. General manager Chris Getz expressed high expectations for the 25-year-old, calling him “one of the most prolific power hitters on the planet.” Murakami officially signed the deal on Monday, with a press introduction at Rate Field.

Murakami boasts an impressive career record, achieving a .270 batting average with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs over 892 games during his eight seasons with the Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Central League. He made headlines in 2022 when he hit 56 home runs, breaking the record previously set by Sadaharu Oh for Japanese-born players in Nippon Professional Baseball. Murakami also became the youngest player to claim Japan’s Triple Crown that year.

Despite a challenging season in 2023, where he faced an oblique injury, limiting him to 24 homers and 47 RBIs in just 56 games, Murakami is now reportedly fully recovered and ready to adapt to the demands of Major League Baseball.

Getz emphasized the role he sees Murakami playing in the team’s rebuilding efforts, stating that his power output will be crucial for the White Sox, who finished last in the AL Central with a 60-102 record in 2025. The team has seen improvement post-All-Star break, driven by a younger core, including Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth.

“This is a place where he can come in, be himself, and establish himself at the major league level,” Getz noted. “We’ll support him and expect great production from him.”

During his media appearance, Murakami conveyed confidence in his ability to adjust to the higher level of competition. “I can adapt to major league pitching and improve my defense quickly,” he stated through a translator. He refrained from projecting specific statistics, instead emphasizing the importance of contributing to the team’s success. “If I’m contributing every night, I feel that’s a success,” he added.

While Murakami’s strikeout rate has raised concerns, with 977 strikeouts in 3,780 plate appearances—approximately 25.84% of the time—his overall performance includes an impressive slugging percentage of .557 and 614 walks. Getz acknowledged the trade-off between strikeouts and power, highlighting Murakami’s unique ability to produce significant offensive output.

To prepare for the MLB, Murakami is adjusting his swing to better handle high-velocity pitches. “Rather than explain my swing, I would like for you to see my swing once the season starts,” he remarked, emphasizing his commitment to improvement.

Murakami’s signing marks a notable moment for the White Sox, making him the fourth Japanese-born player in the franchise’s history, joining former players Shingo Takatsu, Tadahito Iguchi, and Kosuke Fukudome. Takatsu has previously managed Murakami in Japan. The new White Sox player has also reached out to fellow Japanese MLB players, including Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, to gain insights into transitioning to the major leagues.

The deal came together relatively quickly after the White Sox’s extensive scouting of Murakami over the years. “Quite honestly, I don’t think it’s set in just yet, to think about him in the lineup on a regular basis,” Getz said regarding the excitement surrounding Murakami’s arrival.

Under the terms of the contract, Murakami will receive a $1 million signing bonus within 30 days, followed by salaries of $16 million in 2026 and $17 million in 2027. His salary for 2027 can increase based on performance, with bonuses for awards such as $1 million for winning the MVP title and additional amounts for placements in voting. He will not be subject to minor league assignments without his consent and will become a free agent at the end of the contract.

Additionally, the White Sox will pay a posting fee of $6,575,000 to Yakult, which will also receive a supplemental fee of 15% for any escalators triggered in Murakami’s contract.

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Murakami’s integration into the White Sox lineup represents a significant opportunity for both the player and the franchise to make an impact in the league.