Japanese Slugger Murakami Joins Chicago White Sox

The White Sox sign Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:28pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The White Sox's high-stakes gamble on Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami's power-hitting abilities is captured in a fractured, cubist-inspired illustration.Chicago Today

The Chicago White Sox have signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract. Murakami, a 26-year-old corner infielder, played for the Yakult Swallows in Japan's Central League, where he hit .270 with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs over eight seasons. His impressive performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he helped Japan win, has the White Sox excited about his potential impact on the team.

Why it matters

The White Sox are hoping Murakami can provide a much-needed power boost to their lineup. While some question his contact and strikeout rates, the team is optimistic that Murakami can make a successful transition to Major League Baseball and contribute to the team's success.

The details

Murakami, a left-handed-batting corner infielder, has been a dominant power hitter in Japan's Central League. Over his eight-year career with the Yakult Swallows, he has hit .270 with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs in 892 games. His standout performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he helped Japan win the tournament, has the White Sox excited about his potential impact on their team.

  • Murakami's two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox was secured in late December 2025.
  • Murakami will turn 26 years old on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Munetaka Murakami

A 26-year-old Japanese corner infielder who has played for the Yakult Swallows in Japan's Central League, where he has hit .270 with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs over eight seasons.

Chicago White Sox

A Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois, who have signed Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract in the hopes of adding power to their lineup.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to have Munetaka join our team and bring his power bat to Chicago. We believe he can make a big impact and help us compete for a championship.”

— Rick Hahn, General Manager, Chicago White Sox

What’s next

Murakami will report to the White Sox's spring training camp in Arizona to begin preparing for the 2026 MLB season. The team and fans will be closely watching to see how he adjusts to the higher level of competition in the majors.

The takeaway

The White Sox's signing of Munetaka Murakami represents their commitment to improving their offense and competing for a championship. While there are questions about how his skills will translate to MLB, the team is hopeful that Murakami's power bat can provide a much-needed boost to their lineup.