Rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami providing White Sox with rare feel-good moments

The Chicago White Sox PR department has some work to do, finally.  

After years of inept play by underperforming top prospects, rookie Munetaka Murakami continues creating a feel-good South Side story.  

Outscored by a combined 17 runs during the opening two regular-season defeats to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, Murakami headlined Sunday’s early offensive attack. The 26-year-old first baseman connected on his third home run of the season, extending the White Sox’s second-inning lead to 5-2 Sunday. 

Murakami also scored in the first inning on Colson Montgomery’s grand-slam homer run off Brandon Sproat.  

After generating just three runs in their opening two outings, Everson Pereira slammed a 403-foot homer to center in the third inning.  

For the first time this season, the White Sox’s offense provided some good news.  

Can Munetaka Murakami provide consistent offense?  

The rebuilding White Sox finally gave up on Luis Robert Jr. last offseason and shipped his inconsistent talent to the New York Mets.     

An All-Star who hit 38 home runs and stole 20 bases in 2023, Robert’s injuries and inconsistencies led the White Sox to seek a new direction.  

Murakami, who connected on 246 homers in eight NPB campaigns, is projected to lead the charge.  

Murakami’s first-pitch, fourth-inning home run Saturday of Chad Patrick marked the first time in franchise history a newcomer homered in his first two outings. He also became the second former NPB player to homer during his first two MLB outings, joining Kenji Johjima.  

“Yeah, he looks great,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Controlling the zone, the damage is there. We’ve got to keep him right there, get some guys on base for him and keep it going.”