Why the Phillies Should Pass on Munetaka Murakami

The buzz around Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami has finally hit Major League Baseball. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows have posted their 24-year-old slugger, opening up a 45-day window for MLB teams to negotiate.

Murakami’s left-handed power and wild home run totals have built up enormous expectations. But there are also some big concerns lurking beneath the hype.

This blog digs into what his posting means, looks at his strengths and weaknesses, and wonders if the Philadelphia Phillies should chase him—or just let someone else roll the dice.

Murakami’s Power: A Rare Commodity

Scouts can’t stop talking about Murakami’s raw power. It’s not just impressive—it’s elite.

On the 20-to-80 scouting scale, his slugging gets a 70 to 80 grade. That’s territory reserved for the game’s most dangerous hitters.

His 56-home-run season didn’t just turn heads; it cemented his spot as one of Japan’s most dominant power threats in recent memory.

Elite Exit Velocity and Long-Ball Ability

When Murakami squares one up, his exit velocity can rival the top sluggers in MLB. He sends balls soaring into the upper decks like it’s nothing.

Power like this is rare. Teams needing a serious middle-of-the-order threat will be tempted to take a swing on him—even if it means paying up.

The Contact Problem

But here’s the catch: Murakami’s strength comes with a big weakness—contact consistency. His strikeout rate has climbed to 28.1% over the last three seasons.

That’s a big red flag, especially for anyone jumping to MLB, where pitching gets nastier across the board.

Struggles Against Velocity and Left-Handed Pitching

The data isn’t kind. Murakami struggles with high-velocity fastballs up in the zone.

He also has trouble with breaking balls and off-speed pitches from lefties. This mix could make his MLB transition a lot tougher than his power numbers suggest.

Injury Concerns

From 2024 to 2025, Murakami battled injuries—toe, elbow, and oblique stuff. These probably messed with his performance and mechanics.

Health issues explain some of the struggles, but scouts still worry about his swing and pitch recognition against top-tier arms.

Mechanical Adjustments May Not Solve Everything

Even if he tweaks his swing or gets advanced coaching, there’s no guarantee he’ll fix his contact issues. MLB pitchers are ruthless at exploiting weaknesses.

Long slumps can really drag down a slugger’s value, no matter how much raw power’s in the tank.

The Financial Gamble

Murakami’s contract projections are all over the place—anywhere from $80 million to $158.5 million for seven or eight years. That’s a massive bet on upside.

For some teams, especially the Phillies, that price tag is just too high given all the risk factors.

Philadelphia’s Payroll Reality

The Phillies are already staring down bigger deals for homegrown guys like Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott. Adding another huge contract could really tie their hands.

Murakami’s risks make it easy to imagine a repeat of the Nick Castellanos situation, where the production just didn’t match the investment.

Alternative Options for the Phillies

The Phillies don’t have to join a wild bidding war. There are smarter moves out there:

• Look into trading for a proven third baseman like Alex Bregman.
• Keep Alec Bohm at a more reasonable salary.
• Put resources into pitching depth and hitters with better contact skills.

Conclusion: Power Meets Prudence

Munetaka Murakami brings jaw-dropping home run power. Front offices probably imagine highlight reels and a spike in jersey sales.

But MLB success takes more than just raw power. Players need to make consistent contact, adjust to top-tier pitching, and stay healthy through a long season.

For the Phillies, skipping Murakami might not be about shying away from excitement. Maybe it’s more about keeping the team competitive in the long run.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Munetaka Murakami has been posted. The Phillies should pass.