Ranking 'Japanese Babe Ruth' Munetaka Murakami's Top 7 MLB Landing Spots
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently secured their second straight World Series championship, led by three standout Japanese players. Shohei Ohtani is on track to become only the second player in MLB history to win four MVP awards, with many arguing he is the greatest all-around player ever. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a National League Cy Young Award finalist, capped off an incredible postseason by posting a 1.45 ERA in 37.1 innings and winning the World Series MVP. Meanwhile, Roki Sasaki, hampered by a right shoulder impingement in his rookie season, pitched just 36.1 innings in the regular season but emerged as Los Angeles' top reliever in the playoffs.
The Next Japanese Superstar: Munetaka Murakami
Eyes now turn to Munetaka Murakami, nicknamed the "Japanese Babe Ruth," who is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows this winter. As his moniker suggests, Murakami could make an immediate impact in Major League Baseball.
Despite playing only 56 games in the latest Nippon Professional Baseball season, Murakami hit 22 home runs. Over eight seasons in Japan, this 6-foot-2, 213-pound left-handed hitter (who throws right-handed) has accumulated:
- 246 home runs
- .273 batting average
- 722 RBIs
- 678 walks
- .945 OPS
“The 'Japanese Babe Ruth' has the potential to change the game immediately upon arrival,” experts say.
Murakami’s blend of power and patience at the plate makes him one of the most exciting prospects to join MLB from Japan.
Summary: Munetaka Murakami, dubbed the "Japanese Babe Ruth," is poised to become a major force in MLB after a compelling career in Japan marked by impressive power and consistency at the plate.