{"id":680957,"date":"2026-04-22T10:40:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680957\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T10:40:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:40:05","slug":"white-sox-munetaka-murakami-surpasses-shohei-ohtani-for-home-runs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680957\/","title":{"rendered":"White Sox Munetaka Murakami surpasses Shohei Ohtani for home runs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago White Sox<\/a> first baseman Munetaka Murakami has been a revelation since he signed his two-year ($34 million) contract in the offseason. In his first 23 games, the 26-year-old is hitting .234 with a .978 OPS, nine home runs, 21 walks, and 31 strikeouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Munetaka\u2019s power was never in question (246 home runs in the NPB) and has been fun to watch, as all of his extra-base hits (nine) have been home runs. He has zero doubles and zero triples.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0OptaSTATS<\/a>, this is the second-longest streak by an MLB player to begin his career. The Seattle Mariners<\/a> Dae-ho Lee leads with 10.<\/p>\n

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Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami surpasses his countryman Shohei Ohtani for home runs<\/p>\n

According to MLB\u2019s Sarah Langs, Murakami\u2019s nine home runs are the most by any Japanese-born player in their first 23 games. This passes his countryman, the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> two-way star Shohei Ohtani<\/a>, who had six.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Munetaka Murakami\u2019s nine home runs are the most of any Japanese-born player in his first 23 MLB games<\/p>\n

He has three more than any other Japanese-born player in first 23 MLB games, ahead of Shohei Ohtani, who had six in his first 23 games as a hitter https:\/\/t.co\/H3TimCL4Ek<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Murakami\u2019s home run on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> marked his fourth straight game hitting a long ball. This is the second time this season \u2014 Opening Day against the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> with three straight \u2014 Murakami has had three-plus games with a home run. If he can continue to showcase his power \u2014 second in Major League Baseball in home runs \u2014 he could wind up being an All-Star this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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