Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Munetaka Murakami Sparks MLB Market Frenzy, Teams Eyeing First Move
A very famous baseball player from Japan, Munetaka Murakami, is now allowed to try and play in America's Major League Baseball (MLB).
He's only 25 and is known for hitting the ball super far!
He was the best player in Japan for two years in a row.
This year he got hurt a little, but he still hit a lot of home runs.
Now, MLB teams have a special window of time to try and sign him.
If a team signs him, his Japanese team will get money.
If no team signs him by the deadline, he'll go back to play in Japan.
Some big teams like the Dodgers, Mariners, and Mets might try to sign him because he is so talented.
Munetaka Murakami, 25, has officially entered Major League Baseball's posting system.
He is eligible to be signed by MLB teams from Saturday through December 22.
Murakami was the 2021 and 2022 Central League MVP and a four-time All-Star.
Despite an injury, he hit 22 home runs in 56 games in the 2023 season.
Teams like the Dodgers, Mariners, and Mets are rumored to be interested in signing him.
- Who
- Munetaka Murakami, a Japanese power-hitting corner infielder
- What
- Murakami has entered Major League Baseball's posting system, making him available to MLB teams.
- When
- The posting period began on Saturday and runs through December 22.
- Where
- From Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan to Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America.
- Why
- Murakami is seeking to play in MLB, and the posting system allows him to enter the market with his former team, the Yakult Swallows, potentially receiving compensation.
- Player
- Munetaka Murakami
- Age
- 25 (turns 26 on Feb 2)
- Team
- Yakult Swallows (NPB)
- Posting Period
- Saturday through December 22
- Awards
- 2021 & 2022 Central League MVP, 4-time All-Star
- 2023 Stats
- .273 AVG, 22 HR, 47 RBI in 56 games (oblique injury)
- Notable Record
- Broke Sadaharu Oh's record for home runs by a Japanese-born player in NPB with 56
