Munetaka Murakami Aims for a Strong Finish

Munetaka Murakami hit a high fly ball at 107.6 mph in a game against the Minnesota Twins. Walker Jenkins caught it before the warning track. The Chicago White Sox first baseman has struggled, going 5-for-59, or .085, in 16 games before Saturday.

Manager Will Venable noted that Murakami is making solid contact but with high trajectories. He believes Murakami is close to hitting more home runs. Venable praised Murakami’s swing decisions and effort, expecting better results soon.

On Saturday, Murakami hit a two-run homer in the first inning, his 30th of the season. He joined Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery in reaching the milestone. Montgomery added a solo homer soon after. Murakami’s last 16 games included one double and one RBI, with 12 walks and 27 strikeouts.

“There have been at-bats where I’ve been thinking about too much of getting the angles too much higher on the swings,” Murakami said through an interpreter Thursday in Houston.

Murakami acknowledged his focus on positivity, even during outs, is key. He stresses maintaining his routine and preparation.

General Manager Chris Getz praised Murakami, stating his presence helps the team’s morale and competitiveness. Despite recent struggles, Murakami remains a powerful threat, influencing the entire lineup.

The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract. His early impact earned him an All-Star selection, notwithstanding a hamstring injury.

“Mune’s meant a lot to this organization, he has,” Getz said when asked Friday about conversations of a contract extension.

Murakami has helped the team’s turnaround this season, hitting .213/.353/.486 with 30 home runs and 61 RBIs. He ranks second on the team in walks (81) and strikeouts (158).

After a challenging August with a .147 average over 28 games, Murakami hopes for a resurgence in September.

“We want to not take that for granted but really appreciate where we stand,” Murakami said. “Just going into each game not thinking too much about the future, but really focusing on each game, each day at a time.”

The White Sox look forward to ending the season on a high note with Murakami’s contributions.