Munetaka Murakami to Arrive at Spring Training Tomorrow; Yoshinobu Yamamoto Asks White Sox Teammates to Look After Him

Japanese power hitter Munetaka Murakami is taking on MLB this year, having secured a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. He plans to arrive at the team's spring training camp tomorrow. His friend from the Japanese national team, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, has already reached out to White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas, asking him to “take good care” of Murakami.

Murakami has been one of the standout hitters in Japanese professional baseball in recent years, setting a NPB single-season record with 56 home runs in 2022. His transition to MLB has drawn significant attention. Although all White Sox position players are scheduled to report on February 15, hitting director Ryan Fuller revealed that Murakami will appear at spring training tomorrow, marking his first MLB spring training experience.

Fuller expressed great enthusiasm about Murakami joining the team, eager to challenge him and observe how he adapts. He also looks forward to working with Murakami and understanding his mindset. “It’s crucial to remember that this player is one of the best hitters in Japanese history,” Fuller noted. Murakami understands there will be an adjustment period in MLB, and the team is committed to supporting him through it.

As Murakami heads to the U.S. to pursue his career, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined MLB two years earlier, thoughtfully reached out to greet him through teammates. According to previous American media reports, after Murakami’s signing with the White Sox was confirmed, Yamamoto contacted his former Dodgers teammate, now with the White Sox, Miguel Vargas.

“He’s a great person,” Yamamoto told Vargas in the message, describing Murakami as an outstanding player with exceptional power. He encouraged Vargas to enjoy watching Murakami’s performance and to look after this talented Japanese slugger.

Both Yamamoto and Murakami have been top players in Japanese professional baseball and were members of Japan’s championship team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. This year, besides competing together in MLB, they will once again join forces representing their country in the upcoming World Baseball Classic before the season starts.