Baseball playerNippon Professional BaseballOlympic medalistWorld Baseball Classic

Munetaka Murakami

Munetaka Murakami is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who became the youngest Triple Crown winner and hit 56 home runs in 2022.

1. Early Life and Background

Munetaka Murakami's early life was deeply intertwined with baseball, influenced by his family and structured training from a young age, leading him to develop his exceptional talents before his professional career.

1.1. Childhood and Education

Munetaka Murakami was born on February 2, 2000, in Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. His passion for baseball began around the age of four, inspired by his older brother, who played for a club team. According to his father, Murakami expressed a desire to become a professional baseball player as early as kindergarten. He attended Kumamoto Municipal Takuma Minami Elementary School, where he joined the same club team as his brother, marking the formal start of his baseball journey.

In the third grade, Murakami entered the "PBA Baseball Academy," an institution headed by former professional baseball player Rakkio Ide and coached by former pros like George Imai and Hideyuki Mifune. There, he received instruction from former professional player Hiromi Matsunaga, who notably taught him how to hit inside pitches. In the fourth grade, he joined the Takuma Minami Elementary Baseball Club, a softball team that his younger brother would also later join. By the sixth grade, he transitioned to hardball, joining the Kumamoto Higashi Little Senior team, which was coached by the father of former professional player Ryo Yoshimoto. After graduating from Takuma Minami Elementary in March 2012, Murakami enrolled in Kumamoto Municipal Nagamine Junior High School. During the winter of his second year, he was selected for the Kyushu Select team, participating in an expedition to Taiwan alongside future professional players such as Shu Masuda and Hayato Nishiura. Additionally, his mother worked as a calligraphy teacher, and Murakami himself practiced calligraphy in his youth, even receiving a special award at the 39th Yomiuri Student Calligraphy Exhibition in December 2017 after being drafted into professional baseball.

1.2. High School and Amateur Career

Munetaka Murakami attended Kyushu Gakuin High School, where he immediately made an impact on the baseball team under manager Hiroaki Sakai. As a freshman, he secured a regular position as the starting first baseman and cleanup hitter. In the summer of 2015, during the Kumamoto Prefectural Tournament, he was unexpectedly placed as the fourth batter and hit a grand slam in his very first at-bat. That same year, he participated in the Koshien national tournament as the fourth batter but went hitless against pitcher Ryuji Koshimago of Yugakukan High School in Ishikawa Prefecture, resulting in a first-round defeat.

From his freshman autumn, Murakami also played as a catcher. Although the team advanced to the finals of the Kumamoto tournament in both his sophomore and junior summers, they were defeated by Shugakukan High School, which featured players like Fumimaru Taura, preventing further appearances at Koshien. Throughout his high school career, Murakami amassed a total of 52 home runs. His extraordinary slugging prowess earned him the nickname "Babe Ruth of Higo," referencing the former name of Kumamoto Prefecture, Higo Province. Among his teammates were Hiromu Ise, two years his senior, and Teruki Yoshino, one year his senior, with whom Murakami also formed a battery as a catcher. In 2016, during his second year of high school, Murakami experienced the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

2. Professional Career

Munetaka Murakami's professional career began in 2018 with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, where he quickly ascended through the ranks, breaking numerous youngest-player and single-season records, culminating in a historic Triple Crown season in 2022.

2.1. NPB Draft

Despite limited media exposure from national high school games, Munetaka Murakami garnered significant attention leading up to the 2017 NPB Draft. He was widely regarded as "Kiyomiya of the West," drawing parallels to Kotaro Kiyomiya, another highly touted prospect. On draft day, three teams-the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Yomiuri Giants, and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles-who had all initially vied for Kiyomiya but lost out in the lottery, subsequently selected Murakami as their alternative first-round pick. The Swallows ultimately won the lottery, securing Murakami's negotiation rights.

His selection marked the first time a player from Kumamoto Prefecture had been drafted in the first round since Yuta Iwasada (Yokohama Commercial University) by the Hanshin Tigers in the 2013 draft, and the first high school player since Daisuke Fujimura (Kumamoto Prefectural Kumamoto Technical High School) by the Giants in 2007. Upon being drafted, Murakami expressed his ambition to "contribute to the team with situation-appropriate hitting, not just home runs, such as sacrifice flies and advancement hits. And someday, I want to carry the Japanese flag on my back." On November 12, he formally signed a provisional contract with the Swallows for an estimated contract bonus of 80.00 M JPY and an annual salary of 7.20 M JPY. He was assigned jersey number 55. While his high school positions were catcher and first baseman, he was converted to third baseman upon entering the professional league and registered as an infielder. Murakami also publicly stated his goal to make his generation known as the "Murakami Generation" and expressed a desire to apprentice under senior teammates Tetsuto Yamada and Wladimir Balentien. His scouting was primarily handled by Shinji Matsuda.

Interestingly, Muneo Nakata, then the scouting director for the Chunichi Dragons, had been aware of Murakami's talent since before his high school enrollment, having heard positive reports from a former colleague who coached at Kyushu Gakuin High School. However, at the time of the draft, the Dragons' priority was a catcher with strong arm strength, and they felt Murakami had concerns in that area. Consequently, they selected Shosei Nakamura (Koryo High School) as their first pick instead (though they ultimately lost him in the lottery). Nakata later reflected that this experience led him to question his own scouting limitations. He also credited the Swallows' success in winning two consecutive Central League pennants in 2021 and 2022 to their strategy of actively acquiring players with strong hitting potential, regardless of their defensive position.

2.2. Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2018-present)

Munetaka Murakami's tenure with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows has been marked by a rapid ascent, record-breaking performances, and a pivotal role in the team's successes.

2.2.1. 2018 Season

In his debut professional season, Munetaka Murakami primarily played for the Swallows' farm team in the Eastern League. By the end of April, he was a regular starter at cleanup hitter and third baseman in 28 games, posting a batting average of .311 with 3 home runs and 20 RBIs. In June, he earned the Farm Monthly MVP award with a .315 batting average, 6 home runs, 14 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases, becoming the first Swallows high school rookie to win the award since Tetsuto Yamada in 2011. He was also selected for the Fresh All-Star Game in July, starting as the cleanup hitter at first base, where he recorded one hit and one stolen base.

On September 16, Murakami was called up to the first squad and made his debut against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Meiji Jingu Stadium, starting as the sixth batter and third baseman. In his first at-bat in the second inning, he hit a historic two-run home run off Akihito Okada. This made him the seventh high school rookie in NPB history to hit a home run in their first at-bat, and the second for the Swallows after Taishi Hirooka in 2016. It was also the first home run recorded in an NPB first-team game by a player born in the 2000s. Murakami commented on the home run, stating he aimed to compensate for an error he made earlier in the game. However, he failed to record another hit in his subsequent 13 plate appearances (with two walks) and was sent back to the farm team, ending his season there. Despite his brief stint in the first team, his minor league performance was exceptional for a high school rookie: a .288 batting average, 17 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. In the Miyazaki Phoenix League in October, he hit 10 home runs, a season record for the league. Post-season, he received the Eastern League MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Effort awards. His annual salary increased by 800.00 K JPY to 8.00 M JPY. Throughout this period, he maintained his natural batting form to maximize his power.

2.2.2. 2019 Season

The 2019 season marked Munetaka Murakami's breakout year. He performed well in spring training, earning his first career opening day start as the sixth batter and third baseman. At 19 years and 1 month old, he became the youngest Swallows player to start an opening day game, surpassing Seikichi Nishioka's 1959 record of 21 years and 10 months. By May 10, he hit his 10th home run, reaching double digits faster than any high school draftee in the Central League within two years of their debut. On May 12, he was promoted to the cleanup position for the first time in his professional career against the Yomiuri Giants. From June onwards, due to defensive challenges and an injury to Tomotaka Sakaguchi, he primarily played first base.

Murakami was selected as the fan-voted starter at third base for his first All-Star Game and also participated in the Home Run Derby. On August 12, he hit his first walk-off home run against the BayStars off Yasuaki Yamasaki, becoming the youngest player in NPB history to achieve this feat at 19 years and 6 months. By August 22, he hit his 30th home run, becoming the first Central League high school draftee to hit at least 30 home runs within two years of his debut. On September 4, his RBI hit against the Hiroshima Carp gave him 87 RBIs, surpassing Futoshi Nakanishi's NPB record for most RBIs by a high school-drafted player in their second season. On September 21, he tied Nakanishi's NPB record for most home runs by a high school rookie in their second season with his 36th home run.

Murakami was the only Swallows player to appear in all 143 games that season. Despite a .231 batting average, the lowest among qualified Central League hitters, he led the team with 36 home runs (tied for third in the league) and finished second with 96 RBIs. He also set a new Central League record and a Japanese player record for most strikeouts in a season with 184, surpassing Akinori Iwamura's 173 strikeouts in 2004 (this placed him fourth in NPB history, with the top three spots held by Ralph Bryant). For his performance, he was awarded the 2019 Central League Rookie of the Year, narrowly beating Koji Chikamoto of the Hanshin Tigers by 39 votes. His salary more than quadrupled, increasing by 37.00 M JPY to 45.00 M JPY.

2.2.3. 2020 Season

In his third professional season in 2020, Munetaka Murakami was named the cleanup hitter and third baseman from opening day. He started the season strong, hitting .339 with 6 home runs and 37 RBIs in June and July, earning him his first Monthly MVP award. At 20 years old, he became the youngest Swallows player to receive this honor. On July 2, against the Hiroshima Carp at Jingu Stadium, he hit a walk-off grand slam, becoming the second-youngest player in NPB history to do so after Sadaharu Oh, who achieved it at 20 years and 5 months. His 31 RBIs in July surpassed Katsumi Hirosawa's club record of 29 RBIs for a Japanese player in a single month (set in June 1991).

On November 5, against the Hanshin Tigers, Murakami achieved a rare feat by successfully stealing second, third, and home in a single inning. This was only the third time a Central League player had accomplished a "cycle steal" (the last being Goro Tsuchiya in 1953) and the 17th time in NPB history (the last being Makoto Shimada in 1979). Murakami played in all 120 games of the shortened season, finishing with a .307 batting average (fifth in the league), 28 home runs (tied for second), 86 RBIs (tied for second), 130 hits (fifth), and 30 doubles (tied for second). He led the league in on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.585), OPS (1.012), and walks (87), securing his first batting title as the league's On-base Percentage Leader. At 20 years old, he became the youngest player in NPB history to win the OBP title and to play every game as the cleanup hitter. This also marked his second consecutive season playing in every game. Despite leading the league in strikeouts (115) and ranking second in errors (14), his overall offensive contributions were highly valued. In the offseason, his salary increased to 100.00 M JPY (a 55.00 M JPY raise), making him the youngest and joint-fastest player in Swallows history to reach this milestone (tied with Atsuya Furuta, Norichika Aoki, and Yasuhiro Ogawa). For a high school graduate in his fourth professional year, this achievement tied the NPB record for fastest to reach 100.00 M JPY, alongside Masahiro Tanaka and Yu Darvish.

2.2.4. 2021 Season

In 2021, Munetaka Murakami continued to serve as the cleanup hitter in all games. In the first half of the season, he posted 26 home runs (second in the league) and 61 RBIs (third). His batting average, which was in the .250s, saw a significant improvement in the latter half of the season, and he maintained a high pace of RBIs, becoming a driving force behind the team's push for the league title. On September 19, he reached 100 career home runs at 21 years and 7 months, making him the youngest player in NPB history to achieve this milestone, breaking Kazuhiro Kiyohara's 32-year-old record of 21 years and 9 months (set in 1989). Although his performance dipped slightly in October, preventing him from reaching 40 home runs and narrowly missing the RBI title by one RBI to Kazuma Okamoto, he still shared the home run title with Okamoto, both hitting 39 home runs. He also led the league in walks for the second consecutive year with 106, maintained an on-base percentage above .400, and recorded an OPS of .974 (second in the league), significantly contributing to the Swallows' first league championship in 20 years.

Murakami also showed improvements in his defense. While he recorded 13 errors at third base (the most in the league), he consistently played third base throughout the season, a shift from 2020 when he primarily played first base due to the acquisition of José Osuna. In the 2021 Japan Series against the Orix Buffaloes, he played all six games as the cleanup hitter, hitting two home runs in Game 1 and Game 5. The Swallows ultimately won the series 4-2, giving Murakami both a league championship and a Japan Series title. Following the season, he was named the Central League's Most Valuable Player (MVP), becoming the youngest player to win the award at 21, surpassing Hideki Matsui's record (22 years in 1996). In a contract renewal on December 20, his salary increased by 120.00 M JPY to 220.00 M JPY, plus incentives, making it the highest salary ever for a high school position player in their fifth professional year. In the offseason, he contracted COVID-19 for a second time.

2.2.5. 2022 Season

The 2022 season was historic for Munetaka Murakami. On April 2, he hit a walk-off single against the DeNA BayStars. From May 6 to May 7, in consecutive games against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome, he hit two consecutive grand slams off Kenshin Horita and Matt Shoemaker, becoming the ninth player in NPB history and third in the Central League to achieve this feat (after Fumio Fujimura and Tyrone Woods in 2006). He hit another walk-off home run on May 24 against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters off Koki Kitayama, and a game-winning walk-off grand slam on June 12 against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks off Shinya Kayama. For his outstanding performance in interleague play (0.351 batting average, 6 home runs, 13 RBIs in 18 games), he was named the Interleague Play MVP. In June, he was named Monthly MVP for the second consecutive time, hitting .410 with 14 home runs and 35 RBIs (tying the club record for RBIs in a month with Wladimir Balentien).

On July 13, Murakami hit his 30th home run of the season against the Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, making him the fastest to reach 30 home runs in both leagues for the second consecutive year, and the first Japanese left-handed hitter to do so since Hideki Matsui in 1997-1998. He finished the first half of the season with a .312 batting average (fifth in the league), a league-leading 33 home runs, and a league-leading 89 RBIs, breaking Alex Ramírez's 2003 club record for first-half RBIs.

From July 31 to August 2, Murakami achieved an unprecedented feat in NPB history: five consecutive home runs across two games. He hit three home runs on July 31 against the Hanshin Tigers at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (in the 7th, 9th, and 11th innings). Two days later, on August 2, against the Chunichi Dragons at Jingu Stadium, he hit two more home runs in the first and third innings off Yuya Yanagi. A table detailing this historic achievement is provided below. He was named Monthly MVP for July, his third consecutive Monthly MVP award, tying the record held by Alex Ramírez and Tetsuto Yamada.

Despite his hot streak, on August 6, Murakami was temporarily removed from the active roster due to fatigue under the "Special Case 2022" rule. This ended his club record for consecutive games as the cleanup hitter (360 games, 7th all-time in NPB), his consecutive starts streak (454 games), and his overall consecutive games played streak (503 games). He was reinstated on August 7 after testing negative for COVID-19. On August 11, he hit his 40th home run against the Hiroshima Carp at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, becoming the fastest to reach this mark in both leagues and the youngest player in NPB history at 22 years old to hit 40 home runs. On August 20, he hit his 44th home run against the Chunichi Dragons, tying Akinori Iwamura's club record for home runs by a Japanese player. Three days later, on August 23, he broke Iwamura's record with his 45th home run, a game-winning shot against the Hiroshima Carp. On August 26, he hit his 150th career home run (his 46th of the season) against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone at 22 years and 6 months, surpassing Kazuhiro Kiyohara's record of 22 years and 11 months. He also became only the second player, after Kazuhiro Kiyohara, to hit 150 home runs in their fifth professional year.

On September 2, Murakami hit his 50th home run off Yudai Ono of the Chunichi Dragons, becoming the 10th player (15th time) in NPB history to reach this mark. He was the sixth Japanese player to do so since Hideki Matsui in 2002, the youngest at 22 years old (breaking Sadaharu Oh's record of 24), and the first player born in the Heisei era to achieve 50 home runs. On September 9, he hit his 53rd home run off Daichi Osera of the Hiroshima Carp, surpassing Katsuya Nomura and Hiromitsu Ochiai's record of 52 home runs for a Japanese-born player (Oh is considered a Japanese player, but his father was Chinese, so he did not hold Japanese nationality). On September 13, he hit his 54th home home run off Tomoyuki Sugano of the Giants, tying Randy Bass's 1985 record. Later that game, he hit his 55th home run off Taisei Ota, tying Sadaharu Oh's Japanese player single-season record, which had stood for 58 years (since 1964). This was only the fifth time in NPB history a player had reached 55 home runs. On September 24, Murakami received his 24th intentional walk of the season against the DeNA BayStars, setting a new club record, surpassing Thomas O'Malley's 1995 record.

After hitting his 55th home run, Murakami went into a slump, recording only 5 hits and 20 strikeouts in 13 games. This allowed Yohei Oshima of the Chunichi Dragons to close the gap in the batting title race. However, on October 2, Oshima finished his season with a .3142 batting average, meaning Murakami's .317 average was virtually secured, regardless of his performance on the final day. On October 3, in the final game of the season against the DeNA BayStars at Jingu Stadium, Murakami's Triple Crown was confirmed when he hit an RBI single in his second at-bat, ensuring his batting average would remain higher than Oshima's even if he went hitless for the rest of the game. In his final at-bat of the season, in the bottom of the seventh inning (his 612th plate appearance), he hit a 151 km/h fastball from Taisei Irie into the right-field stands for his 56th home run. This established a new single-season record for a Japanese-born player and a left-handed hitter in NPB history, and it also tied Lee Seung-yeop's 2003 record for the most home runs by an Asian player in a single season in the KBO League. This home run ended a 14-game, 61-plate appearance drought since his 55th home run.

Murakami's final batting statistics for 2022 were a league-leading .318 batting average (Batting Champion), a league-leading 56 home runs (Home Run Champion), and a league-leading 134 RBIs (RBI Champion). At 22 years old, he became the youngest player in NPB history and the first of the Reiwa era to achieve the Triple Crown. This was the eighth Triple Crown in NPB history (12th time overall) and the first since Nobuhiko Matsunaka in 2004. He was also the first Central League player to win the Triple Crown since Randy Bass in 1986. His 56 home runs set a new record for the most home runs by a Triple Crown winner, and he was the first Triple Crown winner in NPB history to also have double-digit stolen bases. His consistent performance, including three Monthly MVP awards, significantly contributed to the Swallows' second consecutive Central League pennant, their first back-to-back championship in 29 years.

To commemorate his 56th home run and Triple Crown, Open House Group, a Swallows sponsor, increased their planned 100 million yen house prize to a house valued at up to 300.00 M JPY in Tokyo, tripling the value in honor of his Triple Crown. Following the 2022 season, Murakami signed a three-year contract extension worth 600.00 M JPY per year (a total of 1.80 B JPY). This contract included a clause that allows him to be posted to Major League Baseball after the 2025 season, with an earlier posting possible after 2024 if the 25-year rule changes.

2.2.6. 2023 Season

Munetaka Murakami's 2023 season followed his participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where observing top-level MLB hitters like Shohei Ohtani led him to experiment with new training methods and batting forms, causing him to lose confidence in his approach. He hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat on Opening Day (March 31) against the Hiroshima Carp at Jingu Stadium, his first career Opening Day home run. However, he struggled significantly in April, posting a .152 batting average, 1 home run, and a league-worst 38 strikeouts for the month. By mid-May, he recovered from his slump after reverting to his previous training methods.

On June 30, in a game against the Hiroshima Carp, Murakami sustained a strong blow to his left knee while chasing a foul ball near the fence. He was not in the starting lineup for the July 1 game but entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning, hitting his first career pinch-hit double. In July, he regained his form, batting .312 with a league-leading 7 home runs and 17 RBIs for the month. In August, on the 8th against the Hiroshima Carp, he hit his 20th home run off Areno Kuri, becoming the fifth player in Swallows history and the first left-handed batter to record five consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs. On August 16, against the DeNA BayStars, he hit a home run off Shota Imanaga, marking the Swallows' 8500th club home run in franchise history. However, on August 18, he was temporarily removed from the active roster due to illness under the "Special Case 2023" rule, returning on August 22. On September 16, against the DeNA BayStars, he hit his 30th home run off Kenta Ishida, marking his fourth season with 30 or more home runs within six professional years. This feat made him only the third player to achieve this (after Tatsunori Hara and Kazuhiro Kiyohara) and the first left-handed hitter.

Despite finishing the season without any batting titles, Murakami maintained strong offensive production with 31 home runs (second in the league) and 84 RBIs (fourth). However, he also led the league in strikeouts (168) and errors (22), highlighting areas for improvement. After completing the first year of his three-year contract, he renewed his contract at an estimated annual salary of 600.00 M JPY, indicating no change from his previous contract.

2.2.7. 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Munetaka Murakami faced early struggles, going hitless in his first 49 at-bats with no home runs or RBIs. Despite this, he led the league in walks with 13. On April 13, he started at the second batting position for the first time in his career, his first time not batting fourth since September 28, 2019, and recorded his first RBI of the season. The next day, on April 14, still batting second, he hit his first home run of the season in his 54th at-bat. He returned to the cleanup spot on April 17.

On May 3, Murakami hit his 100th home run at Meiji Jingu Stadium, becoming the youngest player to do so at 24 years and 3 months, surpassing Tetsuto Yamada's record of 26 years and 10 months (set in 2019). He also became the youngest player to hit 100 home runs at a single ballpark, breaking Sadaharu Oh's record of 24 years and 10 months at Korakuen Stadium (set in 1965). On May 15, he achieved his 200th career home run in NPB, again becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone at 24 years and 3 months, surpassing Kazuhiro Kiyohara's record of 24 years and 10 months (set in 1992). He reached this mark in 730 games, making him the fourth-fastest Japanese player to 200 home runs.

On October 5, in the final game of the season against the Hiroshima Carp, Murakami fouled a ball off his right foot and was removed from the game in the sixth inning. Subsequent examinations at a hospital in Hiroshima City revealed a fractured distal phalanx of his right great toe, requiring a 2-3 month recovery period. Despite the injury, he concluded the season as the Home Run Champion (33 home runs, his third title in two years) and RBI Champion (86 RBIs, his second title in two years), securing a two-crown title. He renewed his contract at an estimated annual salary of 600.00 M JPY plus incentives, stating that the 2025 season would likely be his last in Japan before pursuing a move to MLB. On December 5, he underwent arthroscopic debridement on his right elbow, with a projected recovery time of 2-3 months.

3. International Career

Munetaka Murakami has represented Japan in major international baseball competitions, contributing to the national team's success on the global stage.

3.1. Olympic Games

On June 16, 2021, Munetaka Murakami was selected to represent Japan in the baseball tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021 due to the pandemic). He started all five of Japan's games as the eighth batter and third baseman. Japan went on to win the gold medal, defeating the United States in the final. In the gold medal game, Murakami notably hit a go-ahead solo home run off Nick Martinez of the US team. Throughout the tournament, he posted a .333 batting average (5 hits in 15 at-bats) with 1 home run and 3 RBIs.

3.2. World Baseball Classic

Munetaka Murakami was selected for the 5th World Baseball Classic on January 26, 2023. While he started as the cleanup hitter and third baseman in pre-tournament exhibition games, his performance was initially inconsistent, leading to him being moved to the sixth batting position for the final exhibition game against the Orix Buffaloes, where he struck out three times but also hit a home run, showing signs of recovery.

In the first round of the main tournament, starting March 9, Murakami continued to struggle despite being the cleanup hitter and third baseman, batting .167 (2-for-12) with no home runs and one RBI. However, in the quarterfinal game against Italy on March 16, he started as the fifth batter and third baseman and recorded two doubles, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. His most crucial performance came in the semifinal against Mexico on March 21. After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his first four at-bats, he stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with Japan trailing 4-5, with no outs and runners on first and second. He delivered a walk-off two-run double to center field off Giovanny Gallegos, securing a dramatic 6-5 victory and sending Japan to the final. In the final against the defending champions, the United States, on March 22, Murakami led off the bottom of the second inning with a first-pitch home run off Merrill Kelly, tying the game. Japan went on to win the championship game 3-2, claiming their third WBC title. Overall, in the tournament, he recorded a .231 batting average (6 hits in 26 at-bats) with 1 home run and 6 RBIs.

Murakami later reflected on his struggles during the first round, stating that he felt uncomfortable with the excessive concern shown by those around him. He felt that direct criticism would have been easier for him. During this challenging period, he received a humorous and encouraging video message from Seiya Suzuki, who had withdrawn from the team due to injury, which greatly lifted his spirits. Murakami even shared the video on his Instagram, which went viral. At the medal ceremony, he prominently carried Suzuki's jersey, placing his gold medal on it for photos, a gesture to acknowledge Suzuki's support and presence despite his absence from the field.

4. Player Profile

Munetaka Murakami is characterized by his exceptional hitting ability, versatile defensive skills, and remarkable physical attributes, making him one of the most well-rounded players in Japanese baseball.

4.1. Batting Style and Strengths

Murakami at bat (July 12, 2018, at Haruka Dream Stadium).
Murakami at bat (July 12, 2018, at Haruka Dream Stadium).

Munetaka Murakami's batting style is notable for his incredibly fast swing speed and extraordinary power, enabling him to hit for immense distance. He is known for his ability to hit to all fields, especially for power to the opposite field (left field as a left-handed batter), consistently hitting double-digit home runs to left field every year since his second professional season. Yuki Matsui of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles remarked on Murakami's opposite-field power, stating, "He's truly amazing. I don't recall an outfielder not moving on a left-center home run by a left-handed batter." Even in his second year, Murakami surpassed the home run pace of Hideki Matsui, a renowned slugger. Isao Harimoto, a legendary Japanese hitter, commented that Murakami "could become a clutch hitter."

Murakami is also known for hitting in bunches, demonstrated by his NPB record of five consecutive home runs and a record 12 multi-home run games in a single season. Although a consecutive on-base streak was anticipated at one point, it was not ultimately achieved. His ability to hit to all fields is highly regarded, with Sadaharu Oh himself commending Murakami's proficiency in hitting home runs to all directions. Despite consistently high strikeout numbers (leading the league with 184 in 2019 and recording over 100 strikeouts in four consecutive seasons), he has also increased his walk totals annually, indicating strong plate discipline and a keen batting eye. In the 2022 season, where he won the Triple Crown, Murakami was particularly dominant against the Chunichi Dragons, batting .364 with 13 home runs in 25 games (tying for the most against any single team across all 12 NPB teams). Notably, he hit seven home runs at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, the Dragons' home stadium, which is known for its vast outfield and high fences, making it a pitcher-friendly park where home runs are typically scarce.

4.1.1. 5 Consecutive Home Runs

Munetaka Murakami achieved an unprecedented milestone in NPB history by hitting five consecutive home runs across two games in 2022.

  • On July 31, 2022, against the Hanshin Tigers at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, he hit three home runs:
    • In the 7th inning, against Yudai Watanabe (1-2 count), a solo home run to left field (1 RBI).
    • In the 9th inning, against Suguru Iwazaki (0-0 count), a solo home run to right field (1 RBI).
    • In the 11th inning, against Daichi Ishii (2-0 count), a solo home run to left field (2 RBIs).
  • On August 2, 2022, against the Chunichi Dragons at Meiji Jingu Stadium, he continued his streak with two more home runs, both off Yuya Yanagi:
    • In the 1st inning, against Yanagi (2-1 count), a solo home run to right field (1 RBI), tying the NPB record for four consecutive home runs.
    • In the 3rd inning, against Yanagi (3-2 count), a two-run home run to left-center field (2 RBIs), setting the new NPB record for five consecutive home runs.

    His streak ended in his third at-bat of the August 2 game, when he hit a double to left field.

    5 Consecutive Home Runs Breakdown
    No.DateOpponentBallparkInningPlate AppearanceOpposing PitcherCountResultRBIs
    1July 31HanshinKoshien Stadium7th3rdYudai Watanabe1-2Left-field home run1
    29th4thSuguru Iwazaki0-0Right-field home run1
    311th5thDaichi Ishii2-0Left-field home run2
    4August 2ChunichiJingu Stadium1st1stYuya Yanagi2-1Right-field home run1
    53rd2nd3-2Left-center home run2

4.2. Fielding and Baserunning

Munetaka Murakami possesses notable speed, capable of running the 50-meter dash in 6.1 seconds. As a catcher during his high school career, he recorded a peak pop time of 1.84 seconds for throws to second base. While his primary defensive positions are first base and third base, his fielding ability has been identified as an area requiring improvement, with a tendency to commit errors in the infield. In 2022, he committed to playing exclusively third base, a shift from 2020, when he was primarily used as a first baseman. In 2023, he temporarily returned to playing first base.

4.3. Physical Attributes

As of November 2017, Munetaka Murakami possesses impressive physical strength and measurements. His deadlift capacity is 441 lb (200 kg), and he can bench press 243 lb (110 kg). His right-hand grip strength measures 159 lb (72 kg), and his left-hand grip strength is 157 lb (71 kg).

5. Awards and Honors

Munetaka Murakami has accumulated a remarkable array of titles, awards, and recognitions throughout his burgeoning career, solidifying his status as one of NPB's premier players.

5.1. NPB Titles

  • Batting Champion: 1 time (2022)
    • Youngest in Central League history to win at 22 years old (2022).
  • Home Run Champion: 3 times (2021, 2022, 2024)
    • Youngest in Central League history to win at 21 years old (2021).
    • Largest home run difference from the second-place finisher (26 home runs) in NPB history (2022).
  • RBI Champion: 2 times (2022, 2024)
    • Youngest in Central League history to win at 22 years old (2022), tied with Shigeo Nagashima (1958) and Sadaharu Oh (1962).
    • Largest RBI difference from the second-place finisher (47 RBIs) in NPB history (2022).
  • On-base Percentage Leader: 2 times (2020, 2022)

5.2. Major Awards

  • Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2 times (2021, 2022)
    • Youngest in Central League history to win at 21 years old (2021).
    • Unanimous selection in 2022, becoming the seventh player (ninth time) in NPB history to achieve this, and the youngest unanimous MVP at 22 years old, surpassing Tadashi Sugiura (1959).
  • Rookie of the Year: 1 time (2019, Central League)
  • Best Nine: 4 times
    • First baseman: 2020
    • Third baseman: 2021, 2022, 2024
  • Shoryoku Matsutaro Award: 1 time (Special Award: 2022)
  • Commissioner's Special Award: 1 time (2022)
    • Awarded for achieving the Triple Crown, hitting five consecutive home runs, and hitting 56 home runs in a season (second all-time in NPB).
  • Monthly MVP: 4 times (Batter Division)
    • June-July 2020
    • June 2022
    • July 2022
    • August 2022 (three consecutive months, tying the record held by Alex Ramírez and Tetsuto Yamada)
  • Interleague Play MVP: 1 time (2022)
  • Japan Series SMBC Fan Cheer Award: 1 time (2022)
  • All-Star Game Fighting Spirit Award: 2 times (2022 Game 2, 2024 Game 1)
  • All-Star Game Mynavi Dream Award: 2 times (2022 Game 2, 2024 Game 1)
  • Home Run Derby Nissan Leaf Award: 1 time (2021)
  • Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize Distinguished Service Award: 1 time (2022)
  • Hochi Professional Sports Award Fresh Award: 1 time (2019)
  • Totetsu Kogyo presents Tsubame no Shita no Chikaramochi Award: 1 time (March-May 2021)
  • Open House Special Home Run Award: 1 time (2022)
    • Initially a house valued at 100.00 M JPY, it was increased to 300.00 M JPY to commemorate his Triple Crown.

5.3. Other Honors and Societal Impact

Monument installed near the right-field stands of Meiji Jingu Stadium, commemorating Munetaka Murakami's 56th home run of the 2022 season. The ball landed near this spot.
Monument installed near the right-field stands of Meiji Jingu Stadium, commemorating Munetaka Murakami's 56th home run of the 2022 season. The ball landed near this spot.
  • Kumamoto Yumezukuri Award: 1 time (2021)
  • Suit of the Year 2022 (Sports Category): 1 time (2022), the first professional baseball player to receive this award.
  • Kumamoto Prefectural Honor Award: 1 time (2022)
    • He was the 11th individual to receive this award from Kumamoto Prefecture. A monument featuring his handprint and a relief was installed in the main lobby of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office on March 12, 2024, alongside those of other past recipients.
  • New Word/Buzzword of the Year: "Murakami-sama" (村神様Japanese) (2022)
    • This nickname, which emerged online to describe Murakami's divine-like performance after joining the Swallows, became official and was featured on team merchandise. The term was nominated and then selected as the grand prize winner for "New Word/Buzzword of the Year" in 2022.
  • Shogakukan DIME Trend Award Person of the Year: 1 time (2022), shared with New York City.
  • Kumamoto City Citizen Honor Award: 1 time (2023)
  • In the Yomiuri Shimbun's "10 Major News of Japan 2022," the headline "Yakult Murakami hits 56th home run, Triple Crown" was ranked fifth overall, garnering 14,085 votes (52.9% of total valid votes).
  • The Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun, a local newspaper in Murakami's hometown, selected his achievements as the top sports news story of 2022 and the top local news story of the year.
  • To celebrate his gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a commemorative gold post (the 45th in Japan's Gold Post Project) was installed on January 7, 2022, near the east gate of his alma mater, Kyushu Gakuin High School, in Kumamoto City.

6. Personal Records and Milestones

Munetaka Murakami has established numerous individual statistical records and significant career milestones throughout his professional career.

6.1. First Records and Career Milestones

  • First appearance, first start, first hit, first home run, first RBI: September 16, 2018, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Meiji Jingu Stadium. Started as the sixth batter and third baseman, hitting a two-run home run to right field in the second inning off Akihito Okada.
  • First stolen base: May 8, 2019, against the Hanshin Tigers at Meiji Jingu Stadium. Stole second base in the 12th inning off pitcher Hiroya Shimamoto and catcher Ryutaro Umeno.
  • 100th career home run: September 19, 2021, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Meiji Jingu Stadium. A solo home run to right field in the first inning off Koya Takahashi. He was the 303rd player in NPB history to reach this milestone, and the youngest ever at 21 years and 7 months.
  • 150th career home run: August 26, 2022, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium. A solo home run to right field in the sixth inning off Shinichi Onuki. He was the 179th player in NPB history to reach this milestone, the youngest ever at 22 years and 6 months, and only the second player to achieve 150 home runs in his fifth professional year, after Kazuhiro Kiyohara.
  • 200th career home run: May 15, 2024, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Botchan Stadium. A solo home run to right-center field in the eighth inning off Takuya Yazaki. He was the 115th player in NPB history to reach this milestone, the youngest ever at 24 years and 3 months, and the fourth-fastest Japanese player to reach 200 home runs (in 730 games).

6.2. Other Notable Records

  • Triple Crown: 1 time (2022)
    • The first in the Reiwa era and the first player born in the Heisei era to achieve it.
    • Youngest ever at 22 years old.
    • His 56 home runs are the most by a Triple Crown winner in NPB history.
    • The first Triple Crown winner in NPB history to also record double-digit stolen bases.
  • First at-bat home run: September 16, 2018, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (64th player in NPB history).
  • Youngest walk-off home run: At 19 years and 6 months, on August 12, 2019, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars (a two-run walk-off home run to center field off Yasuaki Yamasaki).
  • Single-season 36 home runs by a high school second-year player: 2019 (tied Futoshi Nakanishi for most all-time).
  • Single-season 96 RBIs by a high school second-year player: 2019 (most all-time).
  • Single-season 184 strikeouts: 2019 (Central League record and Japanese player record).
  • One-inning three stolen bases (cycle steal): November 5, 2020, against the Hanshin Tigers in the second inning (off pitcher Yuki Nishi and catcher Ryutaro Umeno). He was the 17th player in NPB history to achieve this.
  • First-inning cleanup hitter grand slam: September 21, 2021, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the first inning off Yuya Sakamoto; achieved a second time on June 23, 2022, against the Chunichi Dragons in the first inning off Yuichiro Okano. He is only the second player in Central League history to hit multiple first-inning cleanup hitter grand slams.
  • 100 RBIs in a 21-year-old season: 2021 (youngest ever).
  • 100 walks in a 21-year-old season: 2021 (youngest ever).
  • Five consecutive seasons with double-digit home runs to left field: 2019-2023 (first left-handed batter in NPB history to achieve this).
  • Two consecutive games with a grand slam: May 6-7, 2022, against the Yomiuri Giants.
  • 9 game-winning RBIs in a single month: June 2022 (most in the two-league era).
  • 5 multi-home run games in a single month: June 2022 (third player in NPB history to achieve this).
  • 14 consecutive plate appearances reaching base: August 26-28, 2022 (tied for second all-time, a club record).
  • Single-season 50 home runs: 2022 (10th player in NPB history to achieve this, 15th time overall; sixth Japanese player since Hideki Matsui in 2002; youngest ever at 22; third fastest to reach 50 home runs in 119 games).
  • Single-season 56 home runs: 2022 (second all-time in NPB, most by a Japanese player).
  • Single-season 134 RBIs: 2022 (tied for 11th all-time, tied for most by an NPB left-handed hitter; broke Tetsuji Kawakami's Japanese left-handed hitter record of 129 RBIs in 1949).
  • 12 multi-home run games in a single season: 2022 (most all-time in NPB).
  • 4 grand slams in a single season: 2022 (tied for second all-time in NPB).
  • Three consecutive months with Monthly MVP (batter): 2022 (tied the record).
  • Three consecutive years with the most walks: 2020-2022 (tied for third in Central League history, behind Sadaharu Oh and Hiromitsu Ochiai).
  • All-Star Game appearances: 4 times (2019, 2021, 2022, 2024).
  • 100 home runs at Jingu Stadium: May 3, 2024 (youngest at 24 years and 3 months; also youngest ever to hit 100 home runs at a single ballpark).

7. Personal Life and Anecdotes

Munetaka Murakami is managed by Yoshimoto Kogyo, a major Japanese entertainment company. He is affectionately known as "Mune" by his family and teammates, and "Murakami-sama" (村神様Japanese), a nickname that gained traction online due to his divine-like performances with the Swallows. This popular nickname is now officially recognized and used on team merchandise.

Murakami's artistic side was nurtured from a young age; his mother is a calligraphy teacher, and he himself studied calligraphy, even receiving a special award at the 39th Yomiuri Student Calligraphy Exhibition in December 2017. In 2021, he had a significant conversation with swimmer Rikako Ikee for a Bungeishunju magazine feature. Murakami was deeply moved by Ikee's battle to fully recover from leukemia, stating, "I felt that I couldn't lose either. I realized that strong determination is essential in any field."

He maintains a close relationship with his Swallows senior, Tetsuto Yamada. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, after Japan defeated the United States to win the gold medal, Murakami famously celebrated by carrying Yamada in a "princess carry" on the mound, a moment that went viral. This act fulfilled a promise the two had made beforehand: Murakami recounted that Yamada had asked him, "Carry me like a princess if we win."

Murakami shares a unique bond with Hayato Nishiura, a former Orix Buffaloes player, who was his close friend and rival since elementary school, competing against each other numerous times in their youth. They had always spoken about going professional together. In 2021, Nishiura made the difficult decision to retire due to the effects of bilateral idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and sent a message to Murakami, telling him to "definitely win the championship." Murakami was deeply touched, writing in a column for Sankei Sports, "My eyes welled up. Hayato must have been the one suffering the most, yet he cheered me on. There are people who want to continue playing baseball but cannot. I strongly felt that I needed to carry Hayato's aspirations and play with all my might. Hayato challenged himself to his limits. I vowed to do my best without regrets."

Murakami is one of three brothers, all of whom have played baseball. His older brother, Tomoyuki, was a pitcher for the TS Tech corporate baseball team and had experience pitching in the Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament during his time at Tokai University. Standing at 76 in (193 cm) and capable of throwing 92 mph (148 km/h), Tomoyuki was even scouted by the Swallows as a potential draft pick after 2019. However, due to injuries, he retired from playing in 2022. His younger brother, Keita, also played as the cleanup hitter and first baseman at Kyushu Gakuin High School, Murakami's alma mater, and helped the team reach the quarterfinals of the 2022 Summer Koshien tournament. Although Keita declared for the 2022 draft, he went unselected and is currently attending Nihon University with the goal of entering the 2026 draft. Interestingly, Munetaka is the shortest among his three brothers.

Murakami is known for his outgoing personality and his ability to communicate comfortably with seniors, even using informal language with Hiromu Ise, a high school senior. This approachable nature has made him a beloved and charismatic figure within the national team, where he naturally becomes a mood-maker. While in his first year, his then-farm team hitting coach, Yuichi Matsumoto, was concerned about his habit of consuming large amounts of carbohydrates like rice and noodles right before games. Murakami is also known to be not a morning person, having even posted on Twitter asking for tips on waking up early. The catalyst for Murakami's aspiration to become a professional baseball player was witnessing Tomohiro Nioka's two consecutive grand slams in a game between the Yomiuri Giants and Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome on April 30, 2006.

In recognition of his achievement in winning a gold medal as part of the Japan national baseball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a commemorative gold post (the 45th in Japan's Gold Post Project) was installed near his alma mater, Kyushu Gakuin High School, in Kumamoto City on January 7, 2022.

8. Career Statistics

Munetaka Murakami's career statistics reflect his consistent power, impressive plate discipline, and defensive versatility across various positions.

8.1. Hitting Statistics

YearTeamGPAABRH2B3BHRTBRBISBCSSHSFBBIBBHBPSODPBAOBPSLGOPS
2018Yakult614121100142000020050.083.214.333.548
2019143593511761182003624696540374551849.231.332.481.814
202012051542470130302282488611501871231158.307.427.5851.012
20211436155008213927039283112127031066613312.278.408.566.974
202214161248711415521156346134127001182571287.318.458.7101.168
2023140597496761272803124884530490471686.256.375.500.875
202414361050082122131332368610501105941806.244.379.472.851
Career (7 years)83635562930501792139422416116005531012582613291348.270.395.550.945
  • 2024 season statistics are current as of the end of the 2024 NPB season.
  • Bold denotes league leader in that category for the specified year.

8.2. Fielding Statistics

YearTeamFirst BaseThird Base
GPOAEDPFPGPOAEDPFP
2018Yakult
201912494960592.995281842103.857
20209464051649.99154308487.934
202119758071.000137961961317.957
2022
2023341001.0001391152132222.937
202415241041.000141832121520.952
Career255169212111152.9946434359968490.945
  • 2024 season statistics are current as of the end of the 2024 NPB season.
  • Bold denotes league leader in that position for the specified year.

8.3. International Tournament Statistics

YearTeamGPAABRH2B3BHRTBRBISBCSSHSFBBIBBHBPSODPBAOBPSLGOPS
2020 Tokyo OlympicsJapan519156500183010042060.333.474.5331.007
YearTeamGPAABRH2B3BHRTBRBISBCSSHSFBBIBBHBPSODPBAOBPSLGOPS
2023 World Baseball ClassicJapan73326663011260001610131.231.364.462.825
  • Bold denotes tournament leader in that category.

9. Uniform Number and Walk-up Music

Munetaka Murakami is synonymous with his iconic jersey number and has used a variety of notable songs as his walk-up music throughout his career.

9.1. Uniform Number

Since joining the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2018, Munetaka Murakami has worn the jersey number 55. This number is notably associated with power hitters in Japanese baseball, most famously Hideki Matsui, often referred to as "Godzilla," who also wore number 55 for the Yomiuri Giants and later in MLB.

9.2. Walk-up Music

Munetaka Murakami has used several songs as his walk-up music throughout his professional career, often alternating between them:

  • "Tomoni" (ともにJapanese) by WANIMA (2018-2019)
  • "I CAN" by EXPRESS (2019, used for even-numbered at-bats)
  • "Yume" (夢Japanese) by GReeeeN (2019, used for odd-numbered at-bats; later for second at-bats from mid-2019)
  • "Happiness" by Arashi (2019, used for first at-bats)
  • "Locker Room" (ロッカールームJapanese) by AK-69 (2019, used for third at-bats)
  • "Niji" (虹Japanese) by Masaharu Fukuyama (2020, used for even-numbered at-bats)
  • "My Time" by Fabolous ft. Jeremih (2020-2023, used for odd-numbered at-bats; later for first at-bats from mid-2021)
  • "U R not alone" by GReeeeN (2021, used for even-numbered at-bats)
  • "Grand Escape - Movie edit" (グランドエスケープJapanese) by Radwimps (2021, used for third at-bats)
  • "Gunjō" (群青Japanese) by Yoasobi (2021-present, used for second at-bats)
  • "Koe" (声Japanese) by Harumi (singer) (mid-2021-present, used for third at-bats; later for fifth at-bats from 2022)
  • "Tabidachi no Mae ni" (旅立ちの前にJapanese) by WANIMA (2021, used for fourth at-bats)
  • "Battle Scars" by Lupe Fiasco & Guy Sebastian (November 24, 2021, used for a special occasion)
  • "Rindō" (りんどうJapanese) by WANIMA (2022, used for third at-bats)
  • "Ai o Shiru Made wa" (愛を知るまではJapanese) by Aimyon (2022-present, used for fourth at-bats)
  • "Chasing The Rainbow" by WANIMA (2023-present, used for third at-bats, a song specifically requested by Murakami for production)
  • "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor (2024, used for first at-bats)