GLENDALE, Ariz. – The World Baseball Classic ended in disappointment for Munetaka Murakami. His first day back with the White Sox went quite differently.
“It was perfect,” Murakami said through a translator. “Just perfect.”
Murakami was describing his first Cactus League home run, a fifth-inning solo shot against Athletics right-hander Luis Morales. The White Sox won the game, 6-4, and while results aren’t often a big deal during Spring Training, Murakami is feeling good as he gets closer to making his official Major League debut on March 26 in Milwaukee.
“Compared to when I left Arizona, I feel much better as far as conditioning, as well,” Murakami said. “I’m seeing the ball better, I’m swinging better, so I’ll keep that approach up and try to hit as much as possible.”
Prior to his departure to join Japan, Murakami was 5-for-13 (.385) with two RBIs in four Cactus League games for the White Sox. His homer was his lone hit in four at-bats on Tuesday.
“His first stretch here was awesome,” manager Will Venable said. “He really engaged with the program. He connected with his teammates, got an understanding of how to support him, some of the things that are important to him to feel like he’s at his best and to train at the level that gets him ready.”
Murakami slashed .211/.286/.368 in five games for Japan during the Classic, hitting one home run – a grand slam against Czechia – with five RBIs, four runs scored and one stolen base. After going 4-0 in pool play, Japan lost its quarterfinal game against Venezuela, sending the defending champs home early.
“The main thing is when I look back after the season, I would love to say that that experience in the WBC really helped me out with my accomplishment in the season,” Murakami said. “To be able to participate in a world tournament with world-tier players is just a blessing. For myself to be on a team with incredible athletes and incredible teammates, they were a pleasure to be with.”
Primarily a third baseman during his eight-year career in Japan, Murakami started all five games at first base during the WBC, getting more work in at the position he will man for Chicago this season.
Infield coach Justin Jirschele worked with Murakami on the nuances of playing first base early in the spring, but after spending nearly three weeks with his WBC squad, the 26-year-old had to play catch-up with his White Sox coaches and teammates.
“We have put a lot of different stuff in since he was gone, so these last couple days have been some classroom sessions, getting up to speed on some stuff,” Venable said. “We had a nice day of team fundamentals where we addressed some stuff, so [we] feel good about where he’s at and we’ll take advantage of the last few days.”
Murakami wants to get a number of at-bats against big league pitchers during the final week of camp, knowing full well that he doesn’t have a ton of experience against the arms he’ll see during the season.
With the WBC behind him and the final countdown to the regular season in single digits, Murakami is excited to begin the next chapter in his baseball career.
“I’m getting comfortable every single day,” Murakami said. “I think I’m ready.”