White Sox Set to Welcome Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami to Spring Training on Super Bowl Sunday
While most of the sports world will have its eyes on Las Vegas this Sunday for the Super Bowl, something just as intriguing-at least for White Sox fans-is quietly unfolding in the Arizona desert.
Munetaka Murakami, one of the most decorated hitters to ever come out of Japan, is set to report to the White Sox’s Spring Training complex in Glendale on Sunday. And while it's still early February, the buzz surrounding his arrival already feels like Opening Day.
White Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller confirmed the news on Saturday, and he didn’t hold back his excitement. “We’re very excited to throw problems at Mune and see how he responds,” Fuller said. “He’s going to be arriving to the complex tomorrow, so excited to spend time with him, get inside his mind.”
And there’s a lot to explore inside that mind. Murakami isn’t just another international signing-he’s a generational bat.
At just 26 years old, he arrives in the U.S. after eight seasons with the Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he posted a career slash line of .270/.394/.557 and launched 246 home runs in nearly 900 games. Those aren’t just good numbers-they’re elite, especially when you consider the consistency and power he displayed over such a long stretch.
His 2022 season, in particular, was the stuff of legend. At age 22, Murakami slashed .318/.458/.710 and crushed 56 home runs, breaking the single-season NPB record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player. That’s not just dominance-it’s rewriting the record books.
Now, he’s bringing that power to the South Side.
Murakami’s signing with the White Sox back in December turned heads across the league. Few expected Chicago to land the slugger, especially with several big-market teams reportedly in the mix. But the White Sox made their move, and now they’re preparing to integrate one of the most exciting international talents into their lineup.
Fuller acknowledged that the transition won’t be without its challenges. “He’s seen the success of guys like Shohei Ohtani, and he knows there’s going to be a little bit of a transition period,” Fuller said.
“Not just the pitching, but life in the United States, the travel. Everything is going to be a little bit new, and we’re really excited to support him through that.”
That support will be crucial. Adjusting to Major League pitching is no small task, even for a hitter of Murakami’s caliber. But as Fuller pointed out, hitting at the highest level is all about making adjustments-and Murakami has shown time and again that he’s more than capable of doing just that.
Though he missed last weekend’s SoxFest Live, Murakami still made sure to connect with fans. In a short video message, he introduced himself and expressed his excitement about joining the team.
“Hi White Sox fans, I’m Munetaka Murakami. I unfortunately won’t be able to attend the fan fest this season.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at Spring Training and in Chicago. Go White Sox!”
While this will be Murakami’s first taste of Major League Baseball, he’s no stranger to international competition. Fans may remember his clutch performances in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he delivered a walk-off two-run double to beat Mexico in the semifinals and followed that up with a game-tying home run in the final against Team USA. Japan went on to win the title, and Murakami’s heroics played a major role.
He’s already committed to representing Japan again in the 2026 WBC, but before that, the focus shifts to Cactus League action. The White Sox are scheduled to begin full-squad workouts on February 15, with pitchers and catchers reporting on February 10. Their first Spring Training game is set for February 21 against the Athletics.
So while the NFL wraps up its season this weekend, the White Sox are just getting started-and they’re doing it with one of the most exciting additions in recent franchise memory. Murakami’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter, and if his NPB track record is any indication, the South Side might be in for something special.