Munetaka Murakami's 20th HR makes early-season history

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami's 20th HR makes early-season history

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated May 27, 2026 11:20 PM ET

Already about halfway to their 2025 win total, the Chicago White Sox have been noticeably more competitive this season than any other in recent memory. And rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami is a big reason why.

Murakami's debut MLB season has already reached historic levels before the end of May. In fact, Murakami etched his name in the record books with one swing of the bat during Chicago's most recent win, a 15-2 thumping of the Minnesota Twins, on Wednesday night.

With the game already secured and Chicago leading 13-1, Murakami crushed a seventh-inning home run to deep left field. The long ball was Murakami's third in as many games and 20th of the season.

Munetaka Murakami has already made MLB history in his rookie season

Murakami became only the third White Sox player to ever hit 20 home runs before June and the most by any MLB rookie since 1901.

HOME RUN NO. 20 FOR MUNETAKA MURAKAMI! pic.twitter.com/dTKOthwTu6
— MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2026

He now has exactly 40 RBI, 47 hits, 42 runs scored, 42 walks and even a stolen base, added to his resume on Wednesday. Only hitting .240, Murakami carries a better .375 OBP and .561 slug to round out his slash line.

Munetaka Murakami has his first career stolen base! pic.twitter.com/FSeXr3JRXQ
— MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2026

Murakami was a star in Japan before coming to America

Before coming to America, the White Sox signed Murakami, 26, after he was posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in November. He boasted a career .273/.394/.550 slash line with 265 home runs and 722 RBI across eight foreign seasons, playing third and first base.

Murakami even hit 246 of his total home runs and drove in 647 runs over 892 games in the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB), which is considered Japan's top professional baseball league. He even owns a Triple Crown season from 2022 and was named Central League Rookie of the Year in 2019, as well as MVP in 2021 and 2022.

The addition of the Japanese superstar has proved to be invaluable and provided Chicago with a new player to build around for years to come.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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