If the Los Angeles Angels are serious about upgrading third base with a big bat, then Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami deserves a spot near the top of their list. The left handed hitter from the Tokyo Yakult Swallows is for sure worth checking out.
Murakami (born February 2, 2000) is listed at 188 cm / 97 kg and bats left. On Baseball-Reference, his NPB register shows 2022 as an elite season: in 141 games he hit .318/.458/.710, with 56 home runs and 134 RBIs. That kind of power output puts him in a rare class among international hitters.
For us, Murakami brings a potent power bat and corner infield versatility both appealing attributes as they hunt for third base help. He’d give us a left-handed swing that can change a game with one hit.
However, the transition from NPB to MLB isn’t seamless. Scouts flag concerns about his contact rates and adjustment to major-league pitching. That means if we sign him, they’ll need to pair him with supporting cast and structure the roster to help him succeed.
Murakami is young (still 25), which is an upside. The posting window allowing him to move to MLB makes him available sooner rather than later. On the flip side, acquiring him will be expensive in terms of posting fee + contract and we will need to decide whether they’re ready to invest big now.
Positional fit matters, too. If he comes in at third, that may shift other players or defensive alignments. We must weigh this, is this the difference-maker signing that elevates them, or is it a high-risk investment?
Murakami offers one of the most exciting bats available internationally. If the Angels want to make a statement at third base, he could be the guy. The real question: is LA prepared for the leap financially, defensively, and roster-wise? If the answer is yes, Murakami may be that transformational piece they’ve been seeking.
Angels Potential Target – Munetaka Murakami
I just saw this on X post (courtesy of James Schiano post):
“….Murakami had a .095 batting average against pitches 93 MPH or harder last season in NPB…..”
For the money that’s going to cost to get this player, it’s not a good idea to sign him.
Which, of course, means Angels will go all in to get him.
Appreciate the effort on the article.
I’m not in the Murakami camp at all. His defense isn’t good (probably will end up at 1st), and his strikeout rate it really really concerning.
For context, the NPB K rate is 19.5%. His strikeout rate is 29.5%.
MLB K rate is roughly 22.5%, and usually players coming from NPB see a slight right in their K%. That would put him at roughly 35-36%. That’s Joey Gallo/Adam Dunn territory.
Small sample size, but in the WBC in ’23, his K rate was 40%
I’d much rather take a chance on Okamoto, who, while older, is a better defender and strikes out wayyyyyy less
We also need a 1B who can hit the baseball past infield and a catcher who can field and hit for average.
well, Murakami isn’t a catcher, so kind of irrelevant.
Schanuel is going to make 1/20th of what Murakami will. Still put up an above average OPS+.
We still have Rendon at 3B. Why do we need this guy?
He will likely end up with Dodgers, as long term replacement for Muncy. He will feel comfortable there, with other Japanese players, and the Doyers have a much larger wallet. Why would he want to play for the sad sack Halos, after seeing what happened to Ohtani, now proud owner of two world series rings in two years after leaving the hapless Halos.
Right on the money.
Nothing happened to former employee #17. He got introduced to MLB playing in Anaheim, won two MVPs, and secured an unreal contract with the Blew Crew. I say he did quite well.
Just like Highlander, in regards to the WS Title, “Their can be only one.” So, players on the other 27 teams also failed?
Actually, Japanese players have a history of doing quite well in Anaheim.
Maybe, just like former employee #17, Murakami plays for a few years in baseball Hell, auditioning for a nice retirement contract (With another team of course). That would be a good reason to sign with the Halos.
I guess it depends on if the Dodgers think he’s actually a third baseman. First base and DH are taken over there so for them it is 3B or bust.
The Angels desperately need a third baseman but could conceivably move him to 1B and will have some DH days available after this season.
how many kilometers per hour can he run to first?
I am not a metricist.
All I hope for this off-season is that the Yankees pick up Rengifo.
thanks Yorke. Good info!
My Hopium infused fantasy Halo 2026 signings:
Murakami
Alonzo
Tucker
Top line pitcher
Okay…okay, I’ll just take 2/4 then……
In terms of Halos’ plans, this sounds as good as any. The total cost is key. But the fit is there if he can really play.
Fortunately for the Angels third base is wide open. The question is can he stick there or is he more of a 1B/DH type?
I say give the kid a year at the hot corner and see how bad the glove really is. If the bat plays but the glove doesn’t, trade Schanuel for something useful and restart the search at 3B.
I see Murakami as a reasonably priced Halos gamble that can hopefully be a 3B/1B/DH (In that order) kind of guy. Of course DH when he is a little older. I think expecting him to start at the major League level wouldn’t be prudent unless he blows the doors off in Spring Training, a little bit of MiLB could help him acclimate/adjust.
IMHO, we as Halo fans, should never worry about where Schanuel will play, if we can get a thumper at 1B.
FWIW, Shanuel currently sports a value of 16 on the sim.
Jhostynxon Garcia would be a godsend here and has a value of 16.9.
Noah Cameron would also be a godsend and has a value of 15.6.
Not saying these trades would actually happen but the point is Nolan could be flipped for something valuable.
If signing Murakami led to a trade to fill another position, even third base, that’s perfectly fine by me.
I wasn’t worried about trading Schanuel, he would have a role if we got a power bat @ 1B.
