Ranking 'Japanese Babe Ruth' Munetaka Murakami's Top 7 MLB Landing Spots
Leading the Los Angeles Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series triumphs were three standout Japanese players. Shohei Ohtani is on track to become the second player in MLB history with four MVP awards, and many argue he is the greatest all-around player the sport has ever seen. Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned a spot as an NL Cy Young Award finalist and finished a spectacular postseason with a 1.45 ERA in 37.1 innings, securing World Series MVP honors. Although Roki Sasaki's regular season was limited due to a right shoulder impingement, restricting him to 36.1 innings as a rookie, he emerged as Los Angeles' top reliever in the playoffs after initial struggles as a starter.
The Next Japanese Superstar: Munetaka Murakami
Munetaka Murakami, known as the "Japanese Babe Ruth," is set to be posted by the Yakult Swallows this offseason. True to his nickname, Murakami is expected to make an immediate impact in Major League Baseball.
Murakami’s Performance in Nippon Professional Baseball
- Played only 56 games this past season due to limitations.
- Hit 22 home runs despite limited playtime.
- Stands 6-foot-2, weighs 213 pounds.
- Hits left-handed but throws right-handed.
- Career stats over eight seasons: 246 home runs, .273 batting average, 722 RBIs, 678 walks, and a .945 OPS.
"Murakami was limited to just 56 games this past Nippon Professional Baseball season. He still managed to hit 22 home runs."
His combination of power and skill suggests he could shape the future of MLB much like the legends before him.
Author’s summary: Munetaka Murakami, the “Japanese Babe Ruth,” is poised to bring his powerful hitting and proven skills from Japan’s NPB to MLB, potentially changing the league’s landscape soon.