Murakami remains one of the most feared hitters in Japan. In 2025, his maximum exit velocity reached 116.5 mph, a mark that stacks up with MLB’s elite left-handed sluggers, including Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber. His bat speed peaked at 85.7 mph, well above the “fast swing” threshold and on par with MLB’s hardest swingers. He finished the season with a 208 wRC+, more than double the league average, and ranked among the top five in NPB home runs despite missing most of the year.
However, Murakami’s power comes with significant swing-and-miss concerns. His strikeout rate ballooned to 28.6% in 2025, and his whiff rate (36.7%) would have been among the highest in MLB. The transition to MLB, where pitchers feature more velocity and advanced breaking pitches, could further expose his contact issues. According to JapanBall analyst Yuri Karasawa, Murakami’s in-zone contact rate dropped to 72.6% in 2025, well below the MLB average of 82.5%.
Despite the risk, Murakami’s upside is tantalizing. His ability to crush fly balls and draw walks makes him a potential middle-of-the-order threat in the majors. MLB teams are already lining up as potential landing spots. The Los Angeles Angels are motivated to return to contention and could offer Murakami a starting role at third base or designated hitter. The Los Angeles Dodgers, now two-time defending World Series champions and home to multiple Japanese stars, also present an attractive destination. Other contenders include the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and New York Mets, each with different openings at the corner infield or DH positions.
Historically, Japanese power hitters have faced a steeper learning curve in MLB, but Murakami’s raw strength gives him a higher ceiling than most. If he can improve his contact rate and adjust to major league pitching, he could quickly become one of the league’s premier sluggers. As he prepares for his transition, Murakami will be one of the most watched international signings of the 2026 offseason.
For more on Murakami’s power metrics and MLB projections, visit his potential landing spots and a detailed analysis of his potential to be an MLB star.