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Slugger Munetaka Murakami Hits Free Agency Amid Concerns

11/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old Japanese slugger, is now a free agent after being posted by the Yakult Swallows.
He holds Nippon Professional Baseball's single-season home run record with 56 homers in 2022.
Former Red Sox player Lou Merloni warns teams to avoid signing him, citing a .095 batting average against pitches over 93 mph last season.
His 37.8% whiff rate against right-handed pitchers is higher than MLB's 25% average.

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Story summary

Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old Japanese slugger, is now a free agent after being posted by the Yakult Swallows.
He holds Nippon Professional Baseball's single-season home run record with 56 homers in 2022.
Former Red Sox player Lou Merloni warns teams to avoid signing him, citing a .095 batting average against pitches over 93 mph last season.
His 37.8% whiff rate against right-handed pitchers is higher than MLB's 25% average.