The 'God' of Japanese baseball is making his MLB debut
In short: In Japan, fans dubbed him "Murakami-sama" because his power at the plate was deemed worthy of a deity. After shattering records in the NPB and becoming a national icon, the first Japanese player to win the Triple Crown since 2004 is now taking his talents to the Chicago White Sox.
Munetaka Murakami's rise to stardom began at Kyushū Gakuin Integrated High School, where his slugging earned him the nickname "Babe Ruth of Higo." Despite limited national exposure as a high school standout, he was drafted in 2017 by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. His breakout occurred in 2019 when, at just 19 years old, he became the youngest player to start a season opener for the Swallows. That year, he set several records, including becoming the first Central League player drafted from high school to hit 30 home runs within two years of his debut.
Murakami's peak in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) was defined by historic milestones. In 2021, he won the Central League MVP after hitting a league-leading 39 home runs and helping the Swallows secure their first title in 20 years. By 2022, his dominance reached legendary status: he hit 56 home runs to break Sadaharu Oh's record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player. That same season, he became the youngest player to win the NPB Triple Crown at age 22 and was the first position player since 1977 to win the MVP award by unanimous vote.
After signing a three-year extension that mandated his move to Major League Baseball (MLB) following the 2025 season, Murakami joined the Chicago White Sox on a two-year, $34 million contract. His transition has been explosive; he became the first player in White Sox history to homer in each of his first three MLB games. On May 1, 2026, he led all majors with 13 home runs and set a record for most career home runs hit before recording a double or triple.
Beyond individual stats, Murakami is a cornerstone of Japan's international success. He was part of the gold-medal winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and played a pivotal role in Japan's third World Baseball Classic title in 2023, where he hit a walk-off double in the semifinals and a first-pitch home run in the final.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Munetaka Murakami
- Also: Wikidata — Munetaka Murakami · CC0
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