Munehiro Murakami’s Batting Form Is on Point, Shohei Ohtani Remains Impressive Even When Struggling… A Thorough Analysis of Why Japanese Major Leaguers Are “Churning Out Home Runs”
Part 2
“Super-Elite” Murakami
“It’s been 22 years since Hideki Matsui (52) became the first Japanese player to hit 30 home runs in the majors, and now, finally, the ‘Japanese 30-Home Run Trio’ has emerged. This will likely be a historic turning point that significantly raises the market value of Japanese sluggers in Major League Baseball,” said Major League Baseball analyst Nachi Tomonari.
Shohei Ohtani (32) of the Dodgers hit 30, Kazuma Okamoto (30) of the Blue Jays hit 33, and Munetaka Murakami (26) of the White Sox hit 35—This season, three Japanese Major Leaguers all hit 30 home runs. Needless to say, this is a first in MLB history.
“However, even though they all hit 30 home runs, the ‘quality’ of their home runs and at-bats varies from player to player. Each is hitting home runs in bulk by leveraging their own unique strengths, while also facing their own distinct challenges,” he added.
So, what exactly are these three players’ “strengths” and “challenges”? And why have they been able to hit so many home runs?
Let’s turn our attention to Golden Rookie Munakata. His 35 home runs this season lead all Japanese players.
“What’s particularly noteworthy is his 20.5% barrel rate (the percentage of batted balls hit at a speed and angle likely to result in extra-base hits) and his 56.8% hard-hit rate (the percentage of batted balls with a speed of approximately 153 km/h or higher).These two metrics place him on par with the Nationals’ James Wood (24), placing him in the top 1% of all Major League players—a truly elite level.In terms of the quality of his batted balls alone, he can be considered the best among all MLB hitters. Another distinctive feature is that, compared to Okamoto, his batted balls are not skewed toward any particular direction. In particular, in the second half of the season, he began hitting more home runs to the opposite field,” (ibid.)
Behind this success lies a Major League-style batting form that Murakami arrived at through trial and error.
“Starting around May, he adjusted his stance to be slightly more open, reduced the lift of his right leg, lowered his center of gravity slightly, and shifted his weight onto his back foot for a longer duration. This approach clicked, and he hit eight home runs that month, earning him the Rookie of the Month award,” said the reporter mentioned earlier.
However, strikeouts remain an issue. This season, he recorded 196—more than Okamoto—but…
“That said, his walk rate is 16.6 percent—among the best in the majors—and he’s drawn 92 walks. Despite a low batting average of .207, his on-base percentage is .347 and his OPS is .825, both at a high level.
He has established himself as the type of slugger—like the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber (33) or the Dodgers’ Max Muncy (36)—who “strikes out a lot but draws walks and can turn the game around with extra-base hits.”“His mental toughness—continuing to swing for the fences without fear of a drop in his batting average—led to his strong performance,” said Mr. Tomonari (cited above).
According to local reporters, it was his teammate Miguel Vargas (26) who provided Murakami with mental support.
“Vargas, who formed the core of the White Sox lineup alongside Murakami and hit 33 home runs, is from Cuba, and English is his second language. They’re alike in that they both strike out a lot but are known for their power, and Murakami describes him as his ‘best friend.’In the clubhouse, Murakami is always teaching Vargas dirty jokes in Japanese, and Vargas is teaching Murakami dirty jokes in Spanish… (laughs)”
Cleared 30 Home Runs Even in “Poor Form”
Okamoto, who positioned the point of contact slightly forward, and Murakami, who shifted his weight onto his back foot to create a pause. Though their approaches differed, both had a fulfilling rookie year, each producing a steady stream of home runs in their own way.
On the other hand, Ohtani struggled with a “slump” throughout the season. While hitting 30 home runs for the sixth consecutive year is an undeniable feat, he went 86 at-bats without a home run from the game against the Rockies on August 19 (Japan time) until the end of the season.
“The impact of the injury is certainly significant. His average batted ball speed has dropped by nearly 4 km/h compared to 2024. Additionally, the percentage of perfect home runs—the kind that would clear the stands at any ballpark—has decreased. That figure was 57.9% in 2024, but this season it stands at 30%.“Due to the injury to his left knee, his ability to brace his back foot—which generates the power behind his swing—has weakened. It must have been a tough season for him, as he just couldn’t seem to find his rhythm,” said Mr. Tomonari, quoted earlier.
Even so, Ohtani has posted an OPS of .889 this season—by far the best among Japanese players. He ranks in the top 5 percent in the majors across many metrics, including hard-hit rate and barrel rate.
“Honestly, I can’t find any clear weaknesses or areas for improvement in Ohtani’s batting form this season.His approach to inside pitches is particularly outstanding; he’s able to bring the bat through from the inside while tucking his elbow and putting 100% of his power into the swing. This is a divine feat made possible only by his exceptional back strength, core stability, and flexibility in his shoulder blades—qualities that set him apart even in the majors.
Looking at his performance at the plate, I don’t feel he has declined; I think it all boils down to the fact that he was ‘plagued by injuries.’ If he gets plenty of rest during the offseason, he should hit 50 home runs again next season,” said Mr. Yamazaki (as quoted above).
Even in the worst of conditions, even after a long absence, he can still hit 30 home runs. That may be what makes Ohtani such a formidable hitter.
From the October 23 & 30, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*
PHOTO： AFLO