White Sox Make a Bold Bet on Munetaka Murakami - But Can the Tigers Exploit His Weaknesses?
The White Sox made their biggest offseason splash in years, signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal just before his posting window closed. It’s a move that could swing the balance in the AL Central - or fizzle out if Murakami’s transition to Major League Baseball proves rockier than expected.
For Tigers fans, the immediate question is simple: should Detroit be worried?
Let’s break it down.
A Monster Bat from Japan - With Some Caveats
Murakami comes to the South Side with a big-time reputation. Back in 2022, he broke Sadaharu Oh’s single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player, launching 56 bombs in NPB.
That’s not just impressive - that’s historic. But since then, he hasn’t quite recaptured that same level of dominance.
In fact, his 2025 season was cut short by injury, and he only played in 69 games.
Still, he made those games count. Murakami slugged 24 home runs in that limited action, showing that the power is still very much there.
The White Sox clearly believe that even with the injury and some question marks, the upside is worth the gamble. A two-year deal at $34 million isn’t cheap, but it’s structured like a prove-it contract - a bet on talent that could pay off big if he adjusts quickly to MLB pitching.
The Fastball Myth - And the Real Issue
There’s been some talk floating around that Murakami can’t hit the fastball. That narrative? Probably overblown.
According to scouting reports from Baseball America, fastballs are actually where Murakami does some of his best work. His power shows up against velocity, which is encouraging. The real issue lies in how he handles off-speed and breaking pitches - and that’s where the Tigers might have an edge.
In 2025, Murakami posted whiff rates over 40% against splitters, changeups, curveballs, and sliders. His overall strikeout rate sat at 28.6%. That’s a red flag, especially when you consider the kind of arms he’ll be facing in the AL Central - and particularly in Detroit.
Why This Might Play Right Into the Tigers’ Hands
If there’s one thing the Tigers’ pitching staff does well, it’s spin and deception.
Tarik Skubal’s changeup is one of the nastiest pitches in the division - a go-to weapon that generates swings and misses even from elite hitters. Jack Flaherty brings a deep arsenal of secondary pitches, including a knuckle curve that’s been tough for hitters to square up. Across the board, Detroit’s staff leans heavily on off-speed and breaking stuff, and that could be the key to neutralizing Murakami early in his MLB career.
If the Tigers stick to their strengths, they won’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just execute the game plan, mix speeds, and force Murakami to prove he can adjust to the kind of sequencing and movement he’s about to see regularly in the big leagues.
Long-Term Outlook: A Wait-and-See Situation
Murakami’s bat has the potential to be a serious problem - maybe not right away, but in time. The tools are there: raw power, a strong track record in Japan, and a swing that punishes mistakes. But the leap from NPB to MLB isn’t easy, and history is littered with elite international hitters who needed time to find their footing.
For now, the Tigers don’t need to panic. If Murakami struggles with timing and pitch recognition early on - especially against the kind of off-speed-heavy approach Detroit favors - they’re well-positioned to keep him in check.
But if he starts to figure things out in year two? That’s a different conversation.
For now, the Tigers will keep doing what they do best - and let Murakami prove he can keep up.