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White Sox Ink Murakami, $34M Deal Sparks Win

5/15/2026

34 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Murakami Powers Win

Chicago White Sox signed Japanese rookie Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.
Murakami has 14 homers, a .369 OBP, 55 strikeouts and homered in three games.
He is the only player with multiple 98 mph home runs, recording nine and posting a 22% chase rate ranking 22nd of 177 hitters.
Murakami’s 11th homer on May 14 lifted Chicago to a 6-5 win and a .500 record (21-21), first since March 31 2025.

Summary

White Sox Decide

The White Sox own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, with ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel projecting Roch Cholowsky first but calling the race a 50-50 toss-up against Grady Emerson.
Emerson would likely sign for less, freeing several million dollars for the Sox to spend later.
GM Chris Getz must balance Cholowsky’s higher floor against Emerson’s ceiling as the club sits at .500 in mid-May, its first .500 mark since 2022.

History

Historical Context

In 2001 the Seattle Mariners signed Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese position player posted to MLB, and his 242-hit rookie season earned AL MVP and sparked a wave of Asian signings. The Mariners’ move set a template that MLB clubs in the league continue to follow when targeting Japanese talent.

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Murakami Powers Win

Chicago White Sox signed Japanese rookie Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.
Murakami has 14 homers, a .369 OBP, 55 strikeouts and homered in three games.
He is the only player with multiple 98 mph home runs, recording nine and posting a 22% chase rate ranking 22nd of 177 hitters.
Murakami’s 11th homer on May 14 lifted Chicago to a 6-5 win and a .500 record (21-21), first since March 31 2025.

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