Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami has entered the posting system, making him available to Major League Baseball teams in one of this winter’s most anticipated moves. The 25-year-old third baseman — who can also play first base — began the formal posting process Friday; his 45-day window for signing starts at 8 a.m. ET Saturday and runs through 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 22.
Murakami is one of Japan’s premier power hitters. In 2022 he broke Sadaharu Oh’s long-standing single-season NPB home run record by hitting 56 homers, and across eight seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows he has totaled 246 home runs. Despite missing time this year with an oblique injury, Murakami still slashed .273/.379/.663 in 56 games and hit 22 homers.
Scouts and executives are intrigued by his combination of age, plate discipline and raw power. Over his NPB career he’s posted a .270/.394/.557 line with a walk rate north of 16% and a strikeout rate around 26%. Teams will evaluate concerns about his swing-and-miss, especially inside the zone, but his upside is expected to spark a competitive market.
Murakami is part of a deeper wave of talent moving from Asia to MLB this offseason. Other expected posting or inte
