Murakami's strong start to the season praised, US media calls his contract a "robbery-level" bargain.

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who joined MLB's Chicago White Sox via posting this season on a two-year, $34 million contract, has performed well since the start of the new season. Although his five-game hitting streak was snapped, multiple American media outlets have given him high praise. "Roundtable" even stated that his contract can be considered a "robbery-level" bargain signing.

Murakami has played in 6 games so far, recording 5 hits in 21 at-bats, including 3 home runs over a three-game homer streak, contributing 4 RBI, while also striking out 9 times.

US media "Yardbarker," in an article titled "Three AL MVP candidates who could shock MLB this season," listed Murakami as one of them. The article noted: "Although the sample size is small, we are already seeing how the power of this generational hitter translates in the majors. If he maintains this performance, he will undoubtedly be part of the MVP conversation."

Another outlet, "Roundtable," stated: "His power was expected, but his patience and hitting strategy in the batter's box are equally impressive. With these qualities, his performance is likely to remain stable. There is now little reason to doubt he is a truly elite hitter. Like last year's home run king, Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber, who has struck out 809 times over the past four years but also hit 187 homers and drawn 426 walks. With such power, strikeouts are not a problem. We are beginning to believe Murakami belongs in the same tier as Schwarber."

The report also emphasized: "This performance does not seem like a 'fluke burst' due to pitchers unfamiliar with him. His swing path, pitch selection, and overall hitting approach all suggest he can sustain this output. As the weather warms up and he plays more games at the hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field, the prospect of this rookie showcasing his true power in the 2026 season becomes even more exciting."

Finally, the report noted that Murakami's two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox "looks like a 'robbery-level' bargain signing."