Red Sox Predicted to Sign Two-Time MVP From Japan

The Boston Red Sox have not filled their need for a power hitter yet this winter, but Craig Breslow has noted that the team will exhaust that part of the market.

The two best power hitters on the market, Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, are already off the board. Who do the Red Sox pivot to? As far as big leaguers go, the Red Sox have been linked to Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suárez, but they are not the only power bats available. Munetaka Murakami of Nippon Professional Baseball is also available.

FanSided’s Christopher Kline predicted the Red Sox would sign the Yakult Swallows infielder. However, he does not come without some unknowns.

Power in NPB does not usually translate directly to the big leagues. However, Murakami has hit 246 home runs in his career and hit 22 home runs in the Central League in just 56 games last season. His power numbers are impressive, but the biggest flaw in his game is his high strikeout rate.

In the last three seasons, he has struck out in 28.8% of his plate appearances. The fear among scouts may be that the number rises when he faces better pitching in Major League Baseball.

Murakami is a first baseman and third baseman. Most of his time in NPB has been spent at third base, but the Red Sox are reportedly making Alex Bregman their top priority. This would likely mean that Murakami plays as a first baseman in Boston, sharing time with Triston Casas as well.

He has 263 games of experience at first base, but he is not an elite defender. He is a four-time NPB All-Star, two-time Central League MVP, Triple Crown winner and two-time Central League home run leader.

Murakami has the potential to be a star in the big leagues. He is just 25 years old, but whichever team lands him will need to address his high strikeout rate.