Munetaka Murakami Eyes MLB Contract in 2026 After 2025 NPB Season in Japan

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami announced that he'll play his final season as part of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2025 before looking to sign with an MLB team in 2026, according to Yahoo Sports Japan.

At just 24 years old, Murakami has already compiled an impressive résumé. He secured a Triple Crown during his 2022 campaign and recently hit 33 home runs and 86 RBIs to go along with a .851 OPS in 2024.

Murakami has spent the past seven seasons as a member of the Yakult Swallows, proving himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the league and repeatedly showcasing his power at the plate.

He's racked up 241 home runs throughout his career and has surpassed 30 homers in each of the past four years. Murakami's best season occurred during his Triple Crown-winning campaign in 2022, becoming the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to achieve the feat while leading the Swallows to a record of 80-59 (h/t Kyodo News).

That year, he racked up 56 home runs and 134 RBIs to go along with a .318/.458/.711 slash line.

Murakami has also thrived while playing with and against MLB players during Team Japan's victory at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He proved himself as one of the top hitters in a lineup that also featured Shohei Ohtani.

In seven games, Murakami posted an OPS of .826 OPS while totaling three doubles, one home run and six RBIs. He also recorded a walk-off hit that gave Team Japan a hard-fought win in the semifinals against Team Mexico.

Given Murakami's power and consistency at the plate combined with his age, he'll be on the radar of several MLB teams once he eventually makes the expected move to the majors in 2026.