Munetaka Murakami's White Sox debut homer was not the only great sign on Opening Day

The Chicago White Sox got blown out by the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day, 14-2. But it wasn't all negative for the White Sox.

Their big offseason signing, Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, hit his first home run in his debut game, and it was a long one. Even though the loss stung, his home run helped make Opening Day less of a disaster in a big way.

But, beyond his home run, as Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report points out, were the other at-bats he had that should give White Sox fans confidence in Murakami moving forward.

Munetaka Murakami impresses with more than HR in MLB debut

"He homered for the first time as a major leaguer in the ninth inning," Rymer writes. "He also didn't strike out and walked twice, which feels like equally huge victories in light of all the concerns about his bat during free agency."

Murakami was one of the more polarizing free agents this past offseason. With a posting window restricting how much his market could develop, Murakami had to sign by a certain date, and the White Sox pounced at the chance to sign him.

It was a $34 million, two-year deal for Murakami. That was widely considered a good deal for the White Sox, even though many were concerned not about his power, but his strikeout and discipline numbers.

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Even if Murakami can hit for power, if he struggles to make contact and swings at bad pitching, then his incredible power would go to waste.

And despite the White Sox lineup striking out 20 times against the Brewers, Murakami didn't strike out a single time. Not only that, but he walked twice, showing his patience at the plate, dissuading some of the big concerns about him coming into the year.

Of course, this is only one game, and things could rapidly change. But, for now, this is a great start for Murakami.

Not only did he hit a home run, but he also didn't strike out despite the White Sox lineup striking out 20 times. Add on his two walks, and it was a near-ideal debut for Murakami with the White Sox.

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