Chicago White Sox: why Munetaka Murakami is still team’s biggest breakout player of 2026
It is June 12, 2026, and the Chicago White Sox are in first place in the American League Central Division. At 36-31, they hold a half-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians, and recently won both games they played against the Atlanta Braves (the third game was postponed due to weather), who have the best record in Major League Baseball.
Astonishingly, the White Sox have been able to continue winning baseball games over the last couple of weeks without Munetaka Murakami. The Japanese slugger is currently on the injured list with a hamstring strain. But while he may be on the shelf, there is an argument to be made that, out of all of their breakout players this season, he is the most important one in Chicago.
Munetaka Murakami is the biggest breakout star on the Chicago White Sox
Indeed, there is no shortage of players who have been pleasant surprises on the White Sox roster this year. Notably, Davis Martin has come out of nowhere to be the ace of Chicago’s pitching staff. Miguel Vargas has finally realized the slugging potential the White Sox saw him in. What is more, several rookie players, aside from Murakami, have made significant impacts on the team so far in 2026.
But Bleacher Report believes the rookie slugger from Japan is their biggest breakout star:
“Munetaka Murakami is currently on the injured list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, with the prognosis at the time of injury in late May being that he would miss four to six weeks.
“It was an unfortunate speed bump during what had been an excellent rookie season. Across his first 200 MLB at-bats, he has clubbed 20 home runs and posted a .938 OPS, while also driving in 41 runs.
“There were some concerns about how Murakami would handle velocity in the majors. He’s been just fine, making the two-year, $34 million contract he signed this past offseason look like highway robbery for the White Sox. They would be wise to try to extend that deal sooner rather than later.”
As noted above, almost every other MLB team passed on Murakami over concerns that his game would not translate from Japan to the Majors. Before going on the injured list, he had proven them all wrong.
So far in 2026, Murakami is hitting .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs and 41 RBI. Yes, he has struck out a great deal; however, he also draws a ton of walks.
Heading into the season, many believed that Murakami would be one of the lone bright spots on what was sure to be a bad baseball team. Instead, he is the biggest star on one that is competing for a division title.
That, indeed, makes him their biggest breakout star of the season (so far).
More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports
- Top White Sox outfielder from 2026 international class off to a torrid start
- White Sox named top trade destination for elite slugger
- White Sox finally get well-deserved recognition in latest MLB power rankings
For More Chicago Sports
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks
The post Chicago White Sox: why Munetaka Murakami is still team’s biggest breakout player of 2026 appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-white-sox-munetaka-murakami-breakout-2026/
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