MLB Posting Watch: Munetaka Murakami’s Power Is Real - But Is It a Fit for the Tigers?
As the posting window for Munetaka Murakami winds down - it officially closes on Monday, December 22 at 5 p.m. ET - the Japanese slugger remains one of the most intriguing names on the international market.
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows posted Murakami back on November 8, giving MLB clubs a chance to negotiate with one of the most prolific power hitters in NPB history. Since then, the rumor mill has stayed surprisingly quiet.
One early mention linked the Tigers as a team “showing interest,” but with no real traction or follow-up reports, it’s fair to say this sweepstakes is still wide open.
So, with the clock ticking and questions still swirling, let’s break down who Murakami is, what he brings to the table, and why - despite the raw power - Detroit probably isn’t the landing spot.
A Record-Breaking Bat
Murakami isn’t just another power bat coming out of Japan - he’s already carved out a place in the NPB record books. Drafted by the Swallows in 2017, the 25-year-old left-handed hitter has grown into a force at the plate.
His 2022 season was historic: 56 home runs, the most ever by a Japanese-born player in a single NPB season, surpassing the legendary Sadaharu Oh. Only Wladimir Balentien, who hit 60 in 2013 (also with the Swallows), has ever gone deeper in a season.
Physically, Murakami checks every box MLB teams look for in a slugger. He’s 6-foot-2, 213 pounds, and brings elite bat speed to the table - maxing out at 85.7 mph in 2025.
That number alone doesn’t mean much without context, but when paired with his exit velocities (tracked both in NPB and during WBC play via Statcast), it paints the picture of a hitter capable of producing big-league power. He pulls the ball in the air with regularity - a key ingredient for home run production in MLB parks - and when he connects, the ball jumps.
The Swing-and-Miss Risk
But here’s where things get complicated. Murakami’s power is elite, no question.
His swing decisions? Not quite as polished.
He’s shown a strong feel for the strike zone and will take his walks, but his contact rate is a concern. Since that monster 2022 season, he’s posted just a 63% contact rate - a number that would raise red flags even in today’s strikeout-heavy MLB landscape. His strikeout rate hovers around 28% in NPB, and when you translate that to the majors - where pitchers are more consistent, more powerful, and more deceptive - that could balloon into the 31-33% range.
That’s rare air, and not in a good way. Only a handful of big leaguers have managed to strike out at that clip and still provide enough offensive value to justify everyday at-bats.
It takes a special blend of power, patience, and damage on contact to make it work. Murakami might have that blend, but it’s far from a sure thing.
Can He Handle MLB Pitching?
One of the key questions for any NPB hitter making the leap is how they’ll handle the uptick in velocity and the sharper breaking stuff. Murakami’s bat speed suggests he won’t be overwhelmed by MLB fastballs - even if the average heater in Japan sits more in the 91-92 mph range, compared to the 94-95 mph he’ll see regularly in the States. He’s used to getting a pitcher’s best effort, and he’s young enough to adjust.
But the bigger test may come with secondary pitches. MLB pitchers throw more consistently nasty breaking and offspeed stuff, and Murakami has struggled at times to make contact against those offerings. Without some refinement to his swing path or approach, that could be a major hurdle.
Scouts believe there’s room for growth - that he can shorten up a bit and improve his timing. He’s also battled through some minor injuries recently, which may have affected his performance.
An optimistic team might see a 25-year-old with elite power who just needs a bit of polish to unlock the next level. That’s the bet someone’s going to make.
But it’s not without risk.
A Bat-First Profile
Defensively, Murakami is passable at third base, but that’s not where his long-term future lies. His range and arm are both a little below what you’d want at the hot corner, so it’s likely he settles in as a first baseman or designated hitter in MLB.
He’s solid enough at first, but there’s no defensive upside here. You’re signing Murakami for the bat - plain and simple.
Why the Tigers Don’t Fit
So where do the Tigers come in? Well, they probably don’t.
Detroit’s front office - led by Scott Harris and Jeff Greenberg - has made it clear they value contact hitters and well-rounded profiles. That’s evident in their recent drafts and in moves like the signing of Gleyber Torres.
Murakami, for all his upside, doesn’t fit that mold. He’s a high-risk, high-reward slugger with real concerns about his ability to make consistent contact and little value outside of his bat.
Even if he were a strong defensive third baseman, the strikeout risk alone might be too much for Detroit’s current roster construction. And given the Tigers’ cautious approach in free agency, it’s hard to imagine them diving into a bidding war for a one-dimensional player - especially one who may command a significant financial commitment.
If Detroit did reach out to Murakami’s camp, it was likely more about doing due diligence and maintaining a presence in the Japanese market than any serious pursuit. There’s value in staying connected, even if you’re not ready to make a move.
What’s Next?
Right now, no one seems to have a clear read on where Murakami will land. Some expected a big-market team to step up early with a nine-figure deal, betting on his youth and power potential.
But the concerns around contact and swing-and-miss may have cooled that market. If his price drops into the mid-tier free agent range, more teams could jump in.
Just don’t expect the Tigers to be one of them.
There’s no denying Murakami has the kind of bat that could change a lineup. But for a team like Detroit, still building a foundation around contact, defense, and versatility, this just isn’t the right fit.
The talent is real. The power is loud. But unless something changes dramatically, Munetaka Murakami won’t be calling Comerica Park home.