The Chicago White Sox may have landed a lucky break with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami: The 26-year-old hit a home run in his first three games in the MLB – and could set an MLB record on Monday.
Murakami had made a name for himself in the NPB and set a new record for a player born in Japan with 56 home runs in 2022. However, there were doubts about how he would cope with pitching in the USA, so in the end the Chicago White Sox got the contract for comparatively favorable terms (2 years/$34 million).
So far, the third baseman has hit the ground running: In the three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at the start of the season, Murakami hit a home run in every game. Although all three games were lost, the opponent was impressed: “The park doesn’t seem to be big enough to stop him, if you know what I mean,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy. “He’s impressive.”
The record for most games with a home run to start an MLB career is four games, set by Trevor Story with the Colorado Rockies in 2016. Murakami could tie the game in Monday’s road game at the Miami Marlins (3-0). “He works on his craft around the clock,” praised his shortstop Colson Montgomery. “That’s why it makes sense to me that he performs so well.”
Rookie Chase DeLauter impresses Cleveland Guardians
Chase DeLauter from the Cleveland Guardians is even a bit ahead of Murakami: The 24-year-old, who was only able to qualify for the Opening Day squad after good performances in Spring Training, hit an impressive four home runs in his first three games with the Seattle Mariners. However, his series is over, he came away empty-handed in the fourth game on Sunday (0-8).
Nevertheless, the team is of course thrilled: “To hit an opposite field home run against one of the best closers in the league – if not the best – on such a cold evening: you need a lot of power,” marveled Guardians manager Stephen Vogt after a solo shot against George Kirby on Friday.
However, DeLauter has a small advantage, if you will: He had already played two games for Cleveland in the 2025 playoffs.
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