The White Sox were hoping to open Spring Training with excitement around one of their biggest international acquisitions in recent memory. Instead, the early headlines are being dominated by front office confusion - not exactly the tone you want to set heading into a new season.
Let’s start with the distraction. GM Chris Getz has apparently been under the impression that Luisangel Acuña - one of the key returns in the Luis Robert Jr. trade - is a switch-hitter.
He’s not. He hits exclusively right-handed.
That’s not just a minor mix-up, either, especially when you consider Acuña’s splits: a .592 OPS against right-handers versus a .732 mark against lefties. That’s a significant gap.
And if Getz truly believed Acuña was a switch-hitter, it raises a bigger question: what else did he misunderstand about the young infielder?
There’s also the matter of Acuña’s position. The White Sox seem to be eyeing him for center field, a spot where both the Rangers and Mets - his previous organizations - determined he wasn’t a fit.
Acuña has been a solid middle infielder, but asking him to play center, a position that demands elite reads, instincts, and closing speed, feels like a stretch. It’s not impossible, but it’s a curious decision for a team that can’t afford many missteps.
Still, the real story that should be capturing attention is Munetaka Murakami - the Japanese slugger with a left-handed swing built to launch baseballs into the Chicago summer sky. His arrival has the potential to inject real power into a lineup that’s been searching for it. But as with most transitions from NPB to MLB, there’s a mix of intrigue and uncertainty.
Murakami: The Potential Game-Changer
Let’s talk upside first. Murakami’s raw power is undeniable.
He’s put up eye-popping numbers in Japan, and the bat speed is real. But the biggest question surrounding him - and the reason he didn’t land the nine-figure deal many expected - is how he’ll handle velocity.
Specifically, pitches above 92 mph. In Japan, where most pitchers sit below that threshold, Murakami feasted.
In MLB, where high-velocity arms are the norm, he’ll need to adjust - and quickly.
But that adjustment might not be as daunting as it sounds. If it’s simply a matter of exposure - needing more reps against mid-90s heat - then there’s a path forward.
Between live BP, game reps, and modern tools like the Trajekt machine (which simulates MLB-level velocity and pitch shapes), there’s reason to believe Murakami can close the gap. A minor swing tweak, better pitch recognition, or just time seeing big-league arms could help him make the leap.
Another encouraging sign? Murakami’s mental makeup.
He’s coming from the Yakult Swallows, a team that’s had its fair share of struggles in NPB. He’s used to playing through losing seasons, which could serve him well on a White Sox team that, let’s be honest, isn’t expected to contend this year.
The lack of immediate pressure to carry a contender might actually be a blessing - giving him space to adjust to a new league, country, and culture without being asked to save the franchise on Day 1.
If things click, Murakami could be the kind of player who makes a bad team watchable - and maybe even a little dangerous.
Murakami: The Risk
Of course, there’s a flip side. If Murakami’s issues with velocity aren’t just about reps or timing, but rather a limitation in his reaction time or swing mechanics, that’s a tougher fix.
Not every hitter can catch up to big-league heat, no matter how much they want to. And if he’s consistently late on fastballs, especially up in the zone, pitchers will exploit that all year long.
There’s also the matter of his glove. Murakami isn’t expected to bring much value defensively.
In fact, most projections knock him pretty hard in that department. If he struggles at third base - or wherever the Sox try to stash him - it limits his flexibility and puts even more pressure on the bat.
And with other DH candidates like Andrew Benintendi, Lenyn Sosa, and one of the catchers already in the mix, there’s not exactly an open lane for a bat-only player.
That said, plenty of sluggers have carved out long, productive careers by punishing mistakes. If Murakami can’t handle elite velocity up, but can crush fastballs down or breaking balls left over the plate, he could still hit 30 homers. That’s not out of the question.
Murakami: The Projection
The projection systems seem to think he’ll land somewhere in the middle. Steamer, ZiPS, and FanGraphs Depth Charts all paint a similar picture: a .232/.342/.449 line with 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a 120 wRC+.
That’s solid production - about 20% better than league average - but the overall value is tempered by the defense. His projected WAR sits around 2.2, which is just above replacement level for a starter.
That’s not a superstar, but it’s a useful player. And for a team in transition like the White Sox, that’s a piece you can build around - or at least build with.
The bigger question is how the Sox will manage the roster puzzle if Murakami’s glove doesn’t improve. Defense is supposed to be a priority for this front office, but that’s hard to square with a potential logjam of DHs and below-average fielders. And let’s be honest - if you haven’t developed strong defensive instincts in Japan, where defense is emphasized and coached at a high level, it’s unlikely you’ll suddenly become a Gold Glover in MLB.
The Bottom Line
The White Sox are entering 2026 with more questions than answers - and Murakami is at the center of many of them. Can he adjust to big-league velocity?
Can he hold his own defensively? Can he give fans a reason to tune in during what could be another tough season?
There’s no denying the upside. Murakami brings legitimate power, a strong track record overseas, and the kind of intrigue that makes Spring Training worth watching. But if the early missteps from the front office are any indication, the Sox will need more than just Murakami’s bat to turn things around.
For now, keep an eye on how he handles velocity this spring. If he starts catching up to heat, we might be looking at the start of something special on the South Side.