The Boston Red Sox could be in the market for an impact bat, and there is no shortage of elite hitters on the open market. However, finding the right hitter will be key for Craig Breslow.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Red Sox are considering “signing up to two” of these five sluggers: Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Kazuma Okamoto, J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber. The team is clearly interested in adding an elite hitter, but there is one they could consider that was not on Heyman’s list.
Heyman noted that Bregman is the most likely fit. Schwarber and Alonso are two of the best power hitters in baseball and would be great fits on the Red Sox. However, Munetaka Murakami is also available this winter and has proven to hit for power in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Murakami made his NPB debut for the Yakult Swallows in 2018. He was just 18 years old when he made his debut, and is now 25. He has 246 home runs in his NPB career, and has a .270/.394/.550 slash line in eight seasons.
Murakami plays first and third base. His position in the field could complicate things for the Red Sox. If Bregman returns, Murakami would have to serve as a first baseman and designated hitter. However, that would create problems for Triston Casas.
Story continues below advertisement
While Murakami has great overall numbers, he also has flaws. His in-zone contact rate is one of the worst in NPB, and he has a strikeout rate that sits between 28 and 29 in each of the last three seasons. Generally, strikeout rates rise when players transition from NPB to MLB.
While Murakami could help the Red Sox, the team may be better suited to sign a player like Schwarber or Alonso. The Red Sox are in a position to compete right now, and both of them have proven their ability to hit for power in MLB. Both would also fit better into Alex Cora’s lineup.
Story continues below advertisement
AloJapan.com