The Pirates' Pursuit of Power: A Risky Venture?
In a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been aggressively chasing free agents, a strategy that has left fans intrigued. Among their potential targets is Munetaka Murakami, a player recently posted by his NPB team, the Yakult Swallows. While the prospect of adding another top slugger is exciting, we must approach this with caution.
The Power Play
On the surface, Murakami's stats are impressive. Despite an injury-shortened season, he boasted a remarkable .273/.373/.663 slash line, a .462 wOBA, and a whopping 211 wRC+. In just 224 plate appearances across 53 games, he smashed 22 home runs, showcasing an isolated slugging percentage of .390. His power is undeniable, with 245 home runs since his first full season in 2019, leading the NPB. Fellow Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, also seeking an MLB contract, trails behind with 214.
Addressing the Power Vacuum
The Pirates desperately need to bolster their offensive firepower. In 2025, they managed a mere 117 home runs, ranking last in the league. The St. Louis Cardinals, in 29th place, outhit them with 145 long balls. The Bucs' .119 ISO pales in comparison to the Cardinals' .134 mark. To describe the Pirates as powerless would be an understatement; it's the lowest home run output for any non-COVID season since the 2015 Atlanta Braves, a team that lost 95 games. Even the 2020 COVID-affected Dodgers hit more home runs than the 2025 Pirates.
The Risks of Relying on Murakami
However, the Pirates' offseason strategy cannot hinge solely on signing Munetaka Murakami. While his surface-level stats are enticing, there are significant questions that need answering in the MLB. Murakami's prolific power is undeniable, but his 28.8% strikeout rate over the last three seasons is the highest among NPB hitters with 1,000+ plate appearances. His contact rate of just 63.9% in 2025 is concerning, and it's not even a career low. In 2024, he made contact only 63% of the time.
Contact Issues and MLB Comparisons
This puts Murakami in a league of his own when it comes to making contact with the ball. Over the last three MLB seasons, out of 856 instances where a batter had 300 or more plate appearances, only 10 had a contact rate under 64%. Of those, only three managed a wRC+ over 100: Joey Gallo, Luke Raley, and Jose Siri, all in 2023.
Struggles Against NPB Pitching
Murakami's struggles extend to making contact against NPB pitching. The average fastball in NPB as of 2024 was 91.28 MPH. When facing 93+ MPH fastballs, he manages a respectable .760 OPS and 121 wRC+, but this is a step down from his career baseline. In MLB, he'll predominantly face pitchers throwing 93+ MPH, as nearly 40% of pitchers last year clocked in at that speed, and nearly 20% were 93+ MPH in the strike zone.
Defensive Concerns
Additionally, Murakami is not a strong defensive third baseman. Baseball America rates his fielding as a 40 on the 20-80 scale, below average. First base is not an option with Spencer Horwitz already on the team. He could be a designated hitter, but that increases the pressure on his offensive performance.
A Risky Investment?
The Pirates cannot afford to take a chance on Murakami. They need hitters who will consistently provide positive value, not players struggling to make contact against lesser pitching. The team should consider investing in Ryan O'Hearn or Kazuma Okamoto, Murakami's fellow countryman, who also offers less risk. The Pirates must make strategic choices to build a successful team, and sometimes, the safest bets are the best ones.
