Munetaka Murakami Adjusting to MLB Pitching as White Sox Offense Struggles

The Japanese slugger is adapting to the big leagues while the White Sox try to revive their anemic offense.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:19pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's batting stance and swing broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the difficulties Murakami faces in adapting his game to the major leagues.Murakami's powerful swing is deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece, reflecting the challenges he faces in adjusting to the complexities of MLB pitching.West Sacramento Today

After a hot start with three home runs in his first three games, Munetaka Murakami has struggled to consistently produce at the plate for the Chicago White Sox. The 26-year-old first baseman, dubbed the 'Babe Ruth of Higo, Japan,' is adjusting to the variety of pitches he's seeing from MLB pitchers, who have quickly adapted to his powerful swing. While Murakami's underlying metrics show elite bat speed and exit velocity, his high strikeout and whiff rates have contributed to the White Sox's collective offensive woes as they sit near the bottom of several key statistical categories.

Why it matters

Murakami was the White Sox's big offseason acquisition, signing a two-year, $34 million deal to help boost an offense that has been among the worst in baseball so far this season. The team is counting on Murakami to provide a middle-of-the-order power bat, and his ability to make adjustments and find his groove will be crucial to the White Sox's hopes of turning their season around.

The details

Through his first 19 MLB games, Murakami is hitting just .167 with 5 home runs, 26 strikeouts, and 17 walks. While he has shown elite bat speed, exit velocity, and barrel percentage, he has also struggled with high whiff and strikeout rates as pitchers have adjusted to his tendencies. The White Sox are working with Murakami to help him see the ball deeper, use the whole field, and make more consistent contact.

  • Murakami hit 3 home runs in his first 3 MLB games.
  • Murakami went 1-for-25 at the plate over a 10-day stretch before hitting his first homer in that span.
  • The White Sox opened a 3-game series against the Athletics on Friday, with Murakami going 3-for-5 with a grand slam.

The players

Munetaka Murakami

A 26-year-old Japanese slugger signed by the White Sox to a 2-year, $34 million contract in the offseason. He was dubbed the 'Babe Ruth of Higo, Japan' for his prodigious power in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Ryan Fuller

The White Sox's hitting director, who has been working with Murakami to help him make adjustments and find more consistent success at the plate.

Chris Getz

The White Sox's general manager, who expressed confidence that Murakami will work through his early struggles and show the talent that made him a big offseason acquisition.

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What they’re saying

“'The pitchers have come out with a different variety of pitches obviously from the first series and now. But again, it's about getting used to it. I'm seeing a lot of pitches right now. Getting used to it and getting that preparation is my first priority.'”

— Munetaka Murakami, White Sox First Baseman

“'His ability to make adjustments at a really high level has been very impressive and you can see it. His swings are starting to be a little bit more fluid, finding the barrel a little bit more.'”

— Ryan Fuller, White Sox Hitting Director

“'He is going through an adjustment period with catching up to some fastballs. We know what he's capable of doing. The great thing is he's already shown [it] and I know that he believes in himself. Getting back into a home routine I think is going to serve him well.'”

— Chris Getz, White Sox General Manager

What’s next

The White Sox will continue to work with Murakami to help him make adjustments and find more consistent success at the plate. As he gets more comfortable in his new city and country, the team is hopeful that Murakami will start to unlock the power that made him a coveted offseason acquisition.

The takeaway

Murakami's early struggles highlight the challenges of transitioning from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball, even for a player with his elite talent. The White Sox are counting on Murakami to be a key part of their offensive revival, and his ability to make adjustments and find his groove will be crucial to the team's hopes of turning their season around.