Munetaka Murakami, Japan’s record-breaking slugger, has been posted to MLB. Here’s his career stats, accolades, and what to expect next.

Munetaka Murakami, Japan’s record-breaking power hitter and two-time NPB MVP, has officially been posted for MLB free agency, opening the door for one of the most anticipated international signings in years. Known for his towering home runs and disciplined plate approach with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami has drawn comparisons to Hideki Matsui for his blend of power and poise. As MLB teams line up to negotiate with the 25-year-old slugger, we have to ask: Who is Munetaka Murakami, and how big of an impact could he make in the majors?

Munetaka Murakami Officially Posted for MLB Teams

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported today that Munetaka Murakami has been officially posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, making the 25-year-old third baseman eligible to negotiate with Major League Baseball clubs. The posting marks the beginning of a 45-day window during which MLB teams can submit contract offers through the league’s posting system — the formal process that allows NPB stars to transition to MLB.

BREAKING: Japanese star third baseman Munetaka Murakami will be posted today, officially starting the process of one of the most anticipated free agencies of the winter, sources tell ESPN. Murakami’s 45-day negotiating window to come to a deal with an MLB team starts tomorrow.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 7, 2025

Under the posting system, Murakami remains under contract with Yakult until an MLB team signs him. If a deal is reached, the Swallows will receive a posting fee equal to 20% of the first $25 million of Murakami’s guaranteed contract, plus 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount beyond $50 million.
For comparison, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters earned roughly $20 million when Shohei Ohtani joined the Angels in 2017 under the older, capped posting system.

If no agreement is reached within the 45-day window, which seems unlikely, Murakami would return to NPB for the 2026 season. But with multiple MLB front offices already scouting him heavily, most expect a bidding war, potentially rivaling the market frenzy that followed Ohtani’s posting.

What MLB Teams Are Expecting from Munetaka Murakami

MLB front offices have been preparing for Munetaka Murakami’s posting for more than a year, and expectations are sky-high. Scouts describe Murakami as a middle-of-the-order cornerstone, a rare mix of power, patience, and maturity at the plate that has made him one of Japan’s most complete hitters in decades.

Murakami hit 56 home runs in 2022, breaking Sadaharu Oh’s long-standing record for most by a Japanese-born player in a single NPB season. He followed that MVP campaign by continuing to post elite on-base and slugging numbers for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, showing that his power is more than a one-year outlier. Since 2019, he’s posted at least a .357 wOBA and a .332 OBP.

In what is likely his final year in NPB, Murakami slashed .273/.379/.663 with 22 home runs and 47 RBI through 57 games.

Which MLB Teams Could Sign Munetaka Murakami?

With Munetaka Murakami now officially posted, several MLB contenders are expected to pursue him aggressively. According to industry speculation and early reports, the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets are among the teams most closely connected to the 25-year-old slugger.

All four clubs have both the financial power and lineup need to make a serious offer. The Yankees and Dodgers have long histories with top Japanese talent, while the Giants and Mets have invested heavily in international scouting in recent years.

A few dark-horse candidates could also emerge, including the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays, each of which has shown growing interest in the Japanese market. Given Murakami’s combination of power, plate discipline, and youth, executives expect his contract to exceed $100 million, potentially making him one of the richest position players ever to come out of NPB.