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Munetaka Murakami’s unique home run binge unmatched in MLB history since at least 1900
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- Munetaka Murakami’s unique home run binge unmatched in MLB history since at least 1900
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There are 29 teams in the MLB regretting not making a bigger pitch to Japanese free agent Munetaka Murakami, and the Chicago White Sox are the lucky beneficiaries of the home run hitter. In an era where home runs are more valuable than ever, Murakami has mastered the art of hitting the ball out of the park, which comes at the cost of some other categories in the stat sheet.
Murakami is going to the plate thinking home run every time he steps in the box. The Japanese slugger has a beautiful power swing reminiscent of Aaron Judge that sends balls flying off his bat when he makes perfect contact. He barrels up plenty of balls, which explains why all of his hits this year have been singles or home runs. Either he puts the ball almost out of the stadium, or he hits it so hard to the outfielders that he has no chance of stretching it into extra bases.
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While it may seem like an absurd stat, advanced analytics paint Murakami as one of the most efficient hitters in the game. He is hitting just .243 on the season, but 12 of his 25 hits going over the wall to score at least one run is valuable. Unfortunately, it hasn't contributed to as much team success as the White Sox might like, as they own a 12-17 record overall.
Murakami is the only player this season with at least 12 hits and no doubles or triples, according to Underdog via X, formerly Twitter. If he keeps smacking balls over the wall at this pace, the White Sox won't mind a couple of zeros in the stat column.
Related: Latest White Sox's Munetaka Murakami homer pushes him past Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez
