Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami is still available, with MLB teams having limited time to sign him. The 25-year-old has until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to join a major-league team before his 45-day signing period ends, after being posted by the Yakult Swallows last month. If he remains unsigned, he will return to Japan for the 2026 season.
Murakami’s offensive skills are impressive, having hit a record 56 home runs in the NPB in 2022 and maintaining strong performances since. However, MLB clubs see him as a first baseman, despite his natural position being third base, and there are concerns about his defense.
He has a high strikeout rate of nearly 30% against less challenging Japanese pitching and struggles against pitchers with velocities over 93 mph, making teams hesitant to offer him a large contract.
Yakyu Cosmopolitan, a publication that covers Japanese baseball, still believes in Murakami’s potential after an adjustment period, citing comparisons to stars like Rafael Devers, Matt Olson, and Nick Kurtz, capable of achieving a .900+ OPS and 50+ HR season. They caution that his contact rates need improvement for success at the MLB level.
Interest from the Mets in Murakami has decreased over the offseason, despite their need for a first baseman after losing Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles. They signed Jorge Polanco, expected to play at first base and designated hitter. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns scouted Murakami in Japan, and the team might show interest if his asking price lowers as the deadline approaches.
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