Munetaka Murakami, a power-hitting infielder from Japan's Tokyo Yakult Swallows, became available to MLB teams on Saturday after entering the posting system. The 25-year-old, who turns 26 in February, is a two-time NPB MVP and four-time All-Star with a career .270 batting average and 246 home runs. However, former Boston Red Sox player Lou Merloni has warned against signing him due to struggles against high-velocity pitches.
Munetaka Murakami, known for his prodigious power in Nippon Professional Baseball, officially entered Major League Baseball's posting system on Saturday, making him eligible for free agency negotiations through December 22. The corner infielder, primarily playing third base in recent years, has spent his entire eight-season career with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He earned Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, and was selected as a four-time NPB All-Star.
In 2022, Murakami set a single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player with 56, breaking Sadaharu Oh's mark, while also winning the Triple Crown with a .318 average and 134 RBIs. He surpassed 30 home runs in four consecutive seasons before injuries limited him. This year, an oblique injury restricted him to 56 games, where he hit .273 with 22 homers, 47 RBIs, and 64 strikeouts. Career totals stand at a .270 average, 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games.
Murakami shone internationally at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, delivering a ninth-inning walk-off double against Mexico's Giovanny Gallegos to score Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a 6-5 semifinal victory. The next day, he hit a tying home run off Merrill Kelly in the final, helping Japan defeat the United States 3-2.
Despite his achievements, concerns have emerged about his transition to MLB. Former Red Sox infielder and current team analyst Lou Merloni advised Boston to 'stay away,' calling pursuit 'a waste of money.' Merloni highlighted Murakami's .095 batting average against 93 mph or faster pitches last season, with a career .188 in 254 such at-bats and only 16 of his 265 home runs off those speeds. His whiff rate over the last three seasons was 37.8% against right-handers and 33.4% against left-handers, compared to MLB's average of about 25%. MLB fastballs averaged 94.2 mph in 2024.
Under MLB-NPB rules, the Swallows would receive a posting fee: 20% of the first $25 million of any contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% above $50 million, plus 15% on bonuses and options.