MLB Rumors: This One Alarming Stat Could Scare Teams Off Munetaka Murakami

November 11, 2025 , , ,
Munetaka Murakami reacts after at bat while playing for Team Japan at the World Baseball Classic.

Munetaka Murakami is the loudest bat on the market, but one number should stop front offices in their tracks. 

Against fastballs 93 miles per hour or higher, Murakami hit .095 last season. In a league where average heater velocity now sits north of 94 and bullpens roll out wave after wave of upper-90s arms, that split is the kind of red flag you do not gloss over. 

His tape shows jaw-dropping lift and carry when he connects. The problem is getting barrel to ball often enough when the speed climbs.

Why Velocity Is The Problem, Not Just The Strikeouts

The strikeout rate has hovered near 30 percent since 2023, which was already a concern. Layer on the velocity issue and the picture sharpens. 

MLB hitters typically see a jump in whiffs transitioning from NPB. If Murakami’s K rate climbs even modestly while his performance against firm fastballs stays this poor, the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing.

He can still punish mistakes and live off walks, but the everyday grind of premium velocity exposes timing holes that power alone cannot paper over. 

What It Means For His Market Fit

Teams love the age, the power ceiling, and the drawing power. They also see a defender who likely fits best at first base or designated hitter, which raises the offensive bar he must clear. 

Clubs like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox all make sense on paper for a middle-order thumper. The question is whether they can pay nine figures for a profile that has to solve high velocity immediately. Until Murakami proves he can handle 93 plus consistently, that one split is the story.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images 
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