Could Munetaka Murakami Be the Power Bat the Orioles Need?
The Orioles came into this offseason with one glaring need: pitching. But let’s not pretend the offense doesn’t need a serious tune-up, too.
After back-to-back seasons with a Top 10 offense in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore’s bats fell flat last year, finishing 24th in MLB. That drop-off wasn’t just a slump-it was a full-on regression.
And with Ramón Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn, and Cedric Mullins all moved at the trade deadline, the lineup suddenly looks a lot thinner than it did just a few months ago.
The addition of Taylor Ward helps patch one hole, but this team still needs a left-handed bat with pop-someone who can bring back the kind of firepower O’Hearn gave them. While names like Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber are floating around in free agency, there’s another name that deserves serious attention: Munetaka Murakami.
Murakami’s Power Is No Joke
At just 25 years old, Murakami has already carved out a legendary resume in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. A left-handed corner infielder with a smooth swing and serious pop, he’s racked up 246 home runs in under 900 games for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
His career slugging percentage? A robust .557.
But what really put him on the map was his 2022 season. At just 22, Murakami captured the NPB Triple Crown-batting .318 with 56 home runs and 134 RBIs-and took home MVP honors.
Those 56 homers didn’t just lead the league; they broke Sadaharu Oh’s long-standing record for most home runs in a season by a Japanese-born player. That record had stood since 1964.
Let that sink in.
Even in a 2025 season shortened by an oblique injury-he played just 56 games-Murakami still managed to launch 22 home runs and drive in 47 runs. His advanced metrics back up the eye test, too. He posted a max exit velocity of 116.5 mph last season, right in line with MLB sluggers like Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Ronald Acuña Jr.
And while he’s not exactly a burner, Murakami has some sneaky speed. He’s swiped 76 bases in his NPB career-more than you'd expect from a guy known for his power stroke.
He’s also no stranger to the big stage. Murakami played a key role in Japan’s 2023 World Baseball Classic title run, delivering a walk-off double in the semifinal against Mexico and a clutch game-tying home run in the championship game. The moment wasn’t too big for him then, and there’s little reason to think it would be now.
The Strikeout Question
Of course, no player is without flaws, and Murakami’s biggest red flag is his strikeout rate. Over eight seasons in Japan, he’s struck out in 31.3% of his plate appearances. To put that in perspective, that would’ve been the fifth-highest K rate in the majors last season.
But let’s not overreact. Plenty of MLB stars live in that 27%+ strikeout range-Schwarber, Byron Buxton, Eugenio Suárez, Riley Greene, and James Wood among them.
The question with Murakami is whether that number will balloon even further as he adjusts to major league pitching. Japanese pitchers tend to rely more on off-speed and breaking stuff, while MLB arms bring more velocity and movement.
That transition can be tough. But if Murakami can make the adjustment-and his bat speed and power suggest he can-the upside is massive.
What Would It Cost?
Trying to peg Murakami’s price tag isn’t easy, but we can look at recent examples. Seiya Suzuki signed with the Cubs for five years and $85 million at age 27.
The next year, the Red Sox gave 29-year-old Masataka Yoshida a five-year, $90 million deal. Murakami is younger than both-he’ll be about 18 months younger than Suzuki was when he debuted, and more than three years younger than Yoshida.
He also brings more defensive value. While Suzuki and Yoshida are corner outfielders or DHs, Murakami is a capable third baseman who can also slide over to first.
That kind of flexibility, combined with his age and power potential, means he’ll likely command a deal north of $100 million over five years. And don’t forget the posting fee-Baltimore would owe the Yakult Swallows somewhere in the $10-20 million range just to secure negotiating rights.
That would make Murakami the most expensive free agent signing of the Mike Elias era. But it could also be the most impactful.
Is There Room for Murakami in Baltimore?
This move only makes sense if the Orioles clear some space at first base. Right now, Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo, and Samuel Basallo are all in the mix for reps there. If Mountcastle is moved-either in a trade or as part of a roster reshuffle-Murakami could split time between third and first, giving the O’s some much-needed lineup flexibility.
A potential alignment against right-handed pitching could feature Jordan Westburg at third, Murakami at first, Basallo at DH, and Adley Rutschman behind the plate. That setup not only adds thump to the middle of the order, but also gives Baltimore the ability to mix and match depending on matchups and injuries. And with Westburg having dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons, having another viable option at third isn’t just a luxury-it’s a necessity.
There’s also a bigger-picture angle here. Signing Murakami would signal that the Orioles are serious about tapping into the Japanese talent pipeline.
Baltimore has never signed a player through the posting system, and their history with Japanese players is limited to just three names: Koji Uehara, Shintaro Fujinami, and Tomoyuki Sugano. After signing Sugano last offseason, bringing in a star like Murakami could help open doors to future talent from Japan.
High Upside, Manageable Cost
Look, Schwarber and Tucker are proven MLB sluggers, but they’re also likely to command $25-30 million per year. Murakami, by comparison, could come in closer to $20 million annually, with more years of prime production ahead. That’s a big swing in value.
Of course, none of this works if signing Murakami eats into the Orioles’ pitching budget. If bringing him in means Baltimore can’t add the arms they desperately need, it’s a tougher sell.
But if the front office can make both moves work? Then Murakami might just be the missing piece in a lineup that needs a jolt.
He brings power, youth, versatility, and star potential-all things the Orioles could use as they look to bounce back in 2026.