Home / Sports / Japanese Slugger Murakami Enters MLB Posting System
Japanese Slugger Murakami Enters MLB Posting System
7 Nov
Summary
- Munetaka Murakami, 26, is entering MLB's posting system
- Murakami was 2021 and 2022 Central League MVP in Japan
- Murakami hit 56 homers in 2022, breaking Sadaharu Oh's record
On November 7, 2025, it was announced that Munetaka Murakami, a 26-year-old Japanese power-hitting corner infielder, is entering Major League Baseball's posting system. Murakami, who will turn 26 on February 2nd, has been a dominant force in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Yakult Swallows.
Murakami was named the Central League's MVP in both 2021 and 2022, and is a four-time All-Star. This past season, he batted .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs, despite being limited to just 56 games due to an oblique injury. Prior to the injury, Murakami had hit over 30 home runs in four straight seasons, culminating in a record-breaking 56 homers in 2022 to surpass the previous mark set by Sadaharu Oh.
Over his 8-year NPB career, all with the Swallows, Murakami has a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games. He has primarily played first and third base in recent years. Murakami also made a major impact at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, hitting a walk-off double and a game-tying home run to help Japan win the championship.
