GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here’s a quick snapshot of Munetaka Murakami's first week as part of the White Sox, after the 26-year-old free agent joined the team from Japan via a two-year, $34 million deal.
Murakami is teaching Japanese to his teammates, although many of his White Sox colleagues are coming to him with Japanese phrases.
“The person who stands out is Chase [Meidroth],” Murakami said through interpreter Kenzo Yagi, in front of 40 media members at Camelback Ranch following workouts on Saturday. “He’s coming with Mōhitotsu -- it means one more. So we are getting there in communication.”
Murakami is going through countless hours of work amid a regimented and focused schedule before departing for Japan on Feb. 27 to take part in the World Baseball Classic. And seemingly his every move is being watched, from long home runs in batting practice to hitting Mike Vasil with a hard grounder during live batting practice on Saturday.
Basically, Murakami is getting adjusted to Major League life.
“I was very nervous at first but teammates, the locker room staff, even the coaches, everyone's really, really nice, welcoming,” Murakami said. “So I'm getting used to it now and happy to be here.
“My teammates have very good communication. Still working on English right now, but lots of gestures, lots of short words, short terms. The communication is there and we're happy to be teammates.”
Manager Will Venable has Murakami’s left-handed power bat set in the middle of the White Sox order, but he’s still configuring construction in terms of the exact spot. There’s plenty of time for that decision to be made before Murakami’s debut in Milwaukee on March 26.
As for defense, Murakami will be the team’s primary first baseman. He will get some time at third base, again according to Venable, with Murakami playing both for Yakult in Japan.
“Third base was always obviously one of my positions to play,” Murakami said. “Anything I can do to help the team win and to push my fullest potential is why I have to keep doing it."
“The easiest path as far as slotting everybody else in around him is to have him at first, so most of his time will be spent at first,” Venable said. “We know he has played third in the past and that’s something we want to be able to tap into and expose him to as well.”
Getting a better feel for Murakami’s overall baseball prowess should be a bit clearer once Cactus League action begins. Murakami is uncertain how many games played or at-bats he’ll take before leaving for the WBC, starting Friday at the Cubs.
Reviews of Murakami as a teammate and as a dedicated worker have been off the charts.
“It’s freakish. He’s got the juice, and he’s got all that stuff and he is really smart,” shortstop Colson Montgomery said. “He has really good understanding of his swing and his process. That’s something you can respect. He cares a lot. You see in the WBC how he plays. He wants to win. You bring another guy in like that who really wants to win, it’s contagious.”
“A big piece for Mune is just be Mune,” White Sox hitting coach Derek Shomon said. “Be the best version of himself and that’s what we are chasing on a daily basis. No, it’s been awesome. And even with the jet lag and some of those challenges, which are real, getting his sleep schedule on track, he’s done a really nice job.”
There’s little doubt Murakami is having fun. He’s frequently joking with teammates, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with the media and showing off his sense of humor.
When talk of the Murakami-backed new bidets to be installed at Rate Field arose on Saturday, Murakami spoke not only of the apparatus’ greatness but how it’s also better for the environment. He poked fun on his Instagram page earlier in the week when his clubhouse name plate read “Munetaki” instead of “Munetaka.”
“To be honest, it was completely funny. I thought it was a joke,” Murakami said. “No hard feelings to the organization. It was crazy funny.”
“He’s already quickly adjusted to the clubhouse,” White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield said. “He’s laughing and joking, very outgoing guy. His English is really solid, too. He’s special.”
Special enough to be a rebuild difference maker, of course, based on just one week in Spring Training.
“First overall is to win games. And to really contribute to winning games,” Murakami said. “That’s the biggest thing I can do. I want to interact with fans as much as possible so that they get to know me and how I am as a person.”