Munetaka Murakami will begin his MLB journey on the South Side of Chicago after agreeing to a two-year deal worth $34 million with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Murakami, who will turn 26 before the MLB season begins, appeared in a video on the team’s website wearing a White Sox jersey and saying, “I’m happy to be in Chicago.”
He heads to the major leagues after eight seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He was one of NPB’s standout power hitters and produced five seasons with at least 30 home runs, including in 2022, when he hit 56 to set the NPB record for a Japan-born player.