Phillies reportedly among top suitors for Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami

If you thought the Phillies’ offense couldn’t possibly swing and miss any harder than they did in the NLDS, well… Dave Dombrowski might already be cooking up a plan to make sure we don’t have to live through that again.

According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Phillies are expected to be one of the top suitors for Munetaka Murakami, the 25-year-old Japanese slugger and two-time NPB MVP who’s reportedly on the verge of being posted by the Yakult Swallows this offseason.

Munetaka Murakami hit 56 home runs in 2022 and won Japan’s Triple Crown.

Munetaka Murakami's 143-game pace:

163 hits
25 doubles
74 Home Runs
143 RBI's
57 BB
184 K's

Although the strikeouts remain a huge concern, this is genuinely ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/fkLp5tn5Ns

— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) September 6, 2025

Phillies Named as a “Great Fit”

Feinsand listed the Phillies alongside the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Giants, and Red Sox as potential landing spots, but singled out Philly as a particularly intriguing match, especially if Dombrowski decides to shake up the roster after another lifeless postseason exit.

“The Phillies could slot Murakami in as a DH to replace Kyle Schwarber (who is also set to be a free agent),” Feinsand said. “They could move Bryce Harper back to the outfield to open first base or possibly trade third baseman Alec Bohm, who is entering his final year of arbitration.”

It makes sense. The Phillies’ offense looked completely out of gas in October (again) and Munetaka Murakami brings exactly the kind of left-handed thump and youthful energy this lineup desperately needs.

The Power Is Real

Munetaka Murakami’s numbers in Japan are absurd. Across 892 career games, he’s slugged 246 home runs and owns a career OPS north of .950.

His 2022 season was historic. He became the youngest player ever to hit 50+ homers in NPB history and joined a club that includes Sadaharu Oh and Wladimir Balentien as the only players to ever hit more than 55 in a season.

Murakami’s offensive approach, when dialed in, is mature beyond his years. He’s capable of drawing walks, working counts, and punishing mistakes to every corner of the park.

According to reports in Japan, the Phillies have scouted 25 year old 1B/3B Munetaka Murakami. He is expected to be posted this offseason by the Yakult Swallows.

His career stats in NBP:

3,064 AB | 833 H | 145 2B | 242 HR | 635 RBI | 598 BB | 958 K | .272/.395/.559 pic.twitter.com/viCIyJ5U9V

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) September 8, 2025

Of course, as with every transition from Japan to MLB, the big question is how his swing will translate against premium velocity.

Scouts have noted his rising whiff rate and declining walk rate in recent seasons. There are signs that his timing could need adjustment against 95+ mph heat on a regular basis.

I literally do not care. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from guys like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it’s that elite Japanese talent tends to figure it out.

How Munetaka Murakami Fits in Philly

If Kyle Schwarber walks, Murakami could slide right into the DH role and inject some long-term juice into the middle of the order.

Honestly, the fact that Alec Bohm is playing third base and doesn’t hit for power makes this more intriguing. I wouldn’t be opposed to moving Bohm to first place, Harper to DH, and adding Murakami at third base in the event that the Phillies can’t re-sign Kyle Schwarber.

On the other hand, if you do get Schwarber back, the Phillies can look to move Alec Bohm, who has no business at third base when he can’t hit for power.

So yeah, the positional shuffle isn’t the concern. We will have a place for Munetaka Murakami regardless.

The real question is whether John Middleton wants to open the checkbook again. Given his track record and his public obsession with bringing a parade back down Broad Street, I would assume that will be the case.

Add back-to-back disappointments in the NLDS and I hope Middleton goes on a war path this winter. Making sure Munetaka Murakami is wearing red pinstripes would be a fantastic start.

Last Note: Phillies forget that Middleton threw the bag at Yamamoto but didn’t get him. Don’t tell me that he won’t do the same for another Japanese superstar that would be an instant upgrade to this baseball team.

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