Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is set to be posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and will have 45 days to negotiate a contract with a Major League Baseball team.
The 25-year-old infielder has been one of Japan’s most prolific sluggers since debuting as a teenager in 2018, averaging 33 home runs in eight seasons. His best year came in 2022 when he hit 56 home runs with 134 RBIs, a .318 average and a 1.168 OPS. Murakami won his second Central League MVP award that season, going back-to-back after picking up the hardware – and a Japan Series title – in 2021.
His 56 home runs in 2022 remains the NPB record for a Japanese-born player, surpassing now Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks chairman Sadaharu Oh’s previous record of 55 set in 1964. Wladimir Balentein now holds the overall record with 60 in 2013.
Murakami has primarily played third base, but the left-handed hitter has 266 NPB games under his belt at first base as well and could be used at both corners in addition to designated hitter in MLB.
Nobody questions Murakami’s power, but strikeouts are a huge concern. Murakami was limited to 69 games in 2025, but his 29.5% strikeout rate in 2024 would have ranked among the 10 worst in MLB, striking out 180 times in 610 plate appearances.
Murakami helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic, homering in the championship game against Team USA pitcher Merrill Kelly
Under the current posting system, an MLB club will owe Murakami’s previous team a posting fee that is 20% of the first $25 million in a guaranteed deal, 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% beyond $50 million.
Munetaka Murakami stats
In 892 career NPB games, Murakami has 246 home runs with with a .270 average and .951 OPS.
- 2020: 28 HR, 86 RBIs, 1.012 OPS
- 2021: 39 HR, 112 RBIs, .974 OPS
- 2022: 56 HR, 134 RBIs, 1.168 OPS
- 2023: 31 HR, 84 RBIs, .875 OPS
- 2024: 33 HR, 86 RBIs, .851 OPS
- 2025: 24 HR, 52 RBIs, 1.051 OPS (in 69 games, including JPEL)
