The Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes didn’t wind up being as robust as many expected this offseason.
Despite his big-time power playing over in Japan, teams were scared off by high strikeout rates and questions about how it would translate to MLB. While we’re only a quarter of the way into his first full season in the big leagues, Murakami has already made everyone who passed on him look silly.
The slugging first baseman has been a major catalyst in the Chicago White Sox’s surprise start to the campaign, currently third among all batters in baseball in home runs, behind only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. Amid his heater, Murakami was recently asked about the doubters, to which he made it clear he’s ready to continue proving them wrong.
Murakami said in an article from Sam Blum at The Athletic:
“Obviously, there are a lot of critics that say critical comments … that are really something I ignore. Because some people who do make critical comments, or have something to say against me, would be somebody who’s not really playing ball… I know who I am, and what kind of challenges I do face every single day. It’s just about proving to the doubters how much I can play in this league,”
The 26-year-old Murakami has been raking through the first 41 games of his MLB career, hitting .229 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI. He, of course, signed a two-year, $34 million contract to join the White Sox this winter.
While typical big spenders like the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres, among others, look back in regret as they struggle to hit for power, Chicago continues to reap the rewards of their decision to sign Murakami.
It’s gone so well for everyone involved that discussions about an extension beyond his current two-year deal have already come up, with Murakami saying he would love to have the conversation about staying on the South Side long-term.
