Munetaka Murakami has impressed MLB fans ever since the World Baseball Classic began. He was integral to Samurai Japan's success in winning its third WBC title.

In his first at-bat of the season for the Yakult Swallows in Japan's Nippon League, he launched a two-run home run. His team went on to defeat the Hiroshima Carp 4-0.

World Baseball Classic star Munetaka Murakami went deep in his first at bat of the season in Japan!The 23-year-old third baseman hit 56 home runs in 141 games last season https://t.co/idDz7LF2Gn

Murakami is a two-time MVP of Nippon Professional Baseball. He made headlines last season as he hit 56 home runs, a record for any Japanese-born player playing in the NPB.

He has hinted at wanting to play in the United States one day, and he has the talent to do so. Fans are getting eager to see him make the jump to the major leagues.

"Put this man in the big leagues," one fan tweeted.
@TalkinBaseball_ Put this man in the big leagues
"I can't get enough of that swing," another fan tweeted.
@TalkinBaseball_ I can’t get enough of that swing
Get him to the Show already twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Spitting image of Judge twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…

Some MLB fans are comparing Munetaka Murakami to Aaron Judge. It's a pretty easy comparison, given the insane record-breaking seasons they had last year.

He’s also poised for a big year twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
One of my favorite batters in The Show 💣 this dude rakes twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
this man would go crazy in the MLB twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
I would love to see him play here in the MLB twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…
This guy is a dawg!!!!! twitter.com/talkinbaseball…

Murakami even has his own card in the newly-released MLB The Show 23. His card is one of the best in the entire game, being rated a 99 overall with maxed-out power.

Munetaka Murakami to the MLB could happen soon

World Baseball Classic Championship: United States vs. Japan
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States vs. Japan

Munetaka Murakami recently signed a three-year deal with the Swallows. The contract stipulates that he will be posted after those three seasons.

For those unfamiliar, players playing in the NPB must accrue nine seasons of professional experience before they can reach international free agency. With Murakami putting a stipulation on his contract, he could play in the MLB by his age-26 season.

Murakami coming over to the United States considerably younger than his fellow Japanese players would be huge. Kodai Senga, who the New York Mets signed in the offseason, is entering his age-30 season.

He won't be restricted in terms of signing bonuses like Shohei Ohtani was when he came over before his age 23 season. Ohtani was still considered an amateur and had to settle for a $2.3 million signing bonus.

Whichever team is lucky enough to land Murakami is going to get an absolute slugger. His swing is so fluent, and the way he takes baseballs deep looks effortless. He should have no problems seeing his power transition over to the United States, as is the case with most Japanese players.

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Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein
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