Japanese Home Run King Munetaka Murakami Enters MLB Posting System
Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami, the record-holder for most home runs in a single season by a Japanese player in Nippon Professional Baseball, has officially entered the posting system for Major League Baseball teams. The 25-year-old third baseman, who hit 56 home runs in 2022 to break Sadaharu Oh's legendary record, will have a 45-day window to sign with an MLB team starting Saturday. Murakami's power-hitting prowess and age make him one of the most anticipated international free agents this winter, with expectations of a nine-figure contract.
Japanese baseball sensation Munetaka Murakami has officially entered the posting system, marking the beginning of what could be one of the most significant international free agency pursuits of the offseason. The 25-year-old third baseman, who holds the single-season home run record for Japanese players in Nippon Professional Baseball, is now available for Major League Baseball teams to pursue through the established transfer process.
Record-Breaking Career in Japan
Murakami's journey to MLB comes after eight impressive seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, where he established himself as one of Japan's most formidable power hitters. His most notable achievement came in 2022 when he smashed 56 home runs, breaking the legendary Sadaharu Oh's record of 55 home runs that had stood since 1964. Over his NPB career, Murakami accumulated 246 home runs while maintaining a .270/.394/.557 slash line, demonstrating both power and plate discipline with a walk rate exceeding 16%.
Posting System Timeline and Process
The posting system, which facilitates the transfer of players from Japan and Korea to MLB teams, will give Murakami a 45-day window to secure a contract with a Major League organization. According to sources, the window opens at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and will remain active until 5 p.m. on December 22, ensuring he will sign with an MLB team before the expiration date. Teams that sign players through this system must pay a posting fee to the player's Japanese team, calculated as 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of every dollar above $50 million.
Market Expectations and Team Interest
Industry expectations point toward a nine-figure contract for Murakami, with additional posting fees estimated to reach at least $16.9 million. High-ranking MLB executives have reportedly scouted multiple games featuring the Japanese star this season and emerged impressed with his capabilities. While concerns exist about his strikeout rate nearing 26% and his in-zone swing-and-miss tendencies, Murakami's age and offensive upside make him an attractive target for multiple organizations seeking power-hitting help.
Recent Japanese Success in MLB
The success of Japanese players in recent MLB seasons has heightened interest in Murakami's availability. The Los Angeles Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships were significantly fueled by Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom transitioned to MLB through similar processes. This recent track record of Japanese players making immediate impacts in Major League Baseball likely increases Murakami's market value and broadens the pool of interested teams.
Murakami's entry into the posting system represents another significant moment in the growing pipeline of talent moving from Japanese professional baseball to Major League organizations. His power-hitting profile and record-breaking accomplishments in Japan position him as one of the most intriguing international free agents available this offseason, with the potential to make an immediate impact for whichever MLB team secures his services.
