Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz expressed excitement about Munetaka Murakami’s potential impact on the lineup a day after the Japanese slugger signed a two-year deal with the club.
“Just think about the meat of the lineup — to add power is something we need, we desperately need,” Getz said on Dec. 22 following Murakami’s introductory news conference at Rate Field. “Of the left-handed variety, too, which is always really attractive in our game just based on how many righties are in our league.
“It’s a significant force in the lineup. There’s no question about it.”
Murakami’s MLB debut nears as the Sox open the regular season Thursday at Milwaukee.
The first baseman gives the Sox a new look in the middle of their order, joining the team after hitting 246 home runs in 892 career games over eight seasons for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Nippon Professional Baseball Central League.
During the span, Murakami led the NPB in home runs, RBIs (647), walks (614), slugging percentage (.557) and OPS (.979) while earning MVP honors in 2021 and 2022. He hit 56 home runs in 2022, the second-highest total in NPB history and the most by a Japanese player.
Murakami, 26, went 8-for-29 (.276) in nine Cactus League games with one home run and three RBIs. He also played five games for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, going 4-for-19 with one home run (a grand slam) and five RBIs.
His arrival generated buzz around a Sox team that made a 19-game improvement from 2024 (41-121) to 2025 (60-102).
He will be one of the players to watch this upcoming season. Here’s a closer look at some more key contributors.
SS Colson Montgomery
Understanding game situations was one area Colson Montgomery took pride in last season.
“I was just reading the game,” he said last month at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. “If there was a time when I needed to get a guy over, get a guy in, that was my one priority. But then some other times, you feel like you have to make things happen. I also did a good job of letting the game come to me and not really trying to do too much.”
That approach led to 21 home runs in 71 games after joining the Sox from Triple-A Charlotte last July.
Montgomery, 24, is concentrating on consistency.
“It’s continuing to adapt and not really be satisfied,” he said last month.
Montgomery was one of several impact rookie position players in 2025, along with second baseman Chase Meidroth and catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. The next step the group takes will be an important part of the upcoming season.
The Sox will begin the year without Teel, who is recovering from a right hamstring strain suffered on March 10 during the World Baseball Classic. He is expected to miss four to six weeks. Quero and recently signed Reese McGuire will handle the catching duties at the start of the season.
SP Shane Smith
Shane Smith went from a Rule 5 draft pick to an All-Star last season. And this year, he earned the nod to start on opening day.
“Opening day is a big deal for every team, especially this year for me,” Smith said on March 8, the day the Sox announced the assignment.
Smith, 25, went 7-8 last season with a 3.81 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings, ending the regular season on a strong note by taking a perfect game into the sixth inning on Sept. 28 against the Washington Nationals.
Fastball command is key, after the right-hander walked nine and hit five batters in 10 2/3 innings this spring.
“We know that’s really where it starts with him, the fastball,” manager Will Venable said on Saturday. “I know it’s something he’s working on, the group is working on, and confident he’ll be able to do on opening day.”
Smith will be followed in the rotation by Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin and Erick Fedde. Kay is back in the big leagues after spending two seasons in Japan. He has five seasons of major-league experience, mostly as a reliever.
The Sox bullpen now includes veteran arms Seranthony Domínguez and Jordan Hicks. Domínguez signed a two-year deal in the offseason. He’ll be the closer. Hicks came over as part of a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
CF Luisangel Acuña
A major trade the Sox made in the offseason centered on center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who was dealt to the New York Mets. Luisangel Acuña, 24, was part of the return. While he’s been in the infield for most of his 109 career big-league games, Acuña got plenty of work at center field during camp.
“I feel comfortable in any position they ask me to play,” Acuña said last week through an interpreter.
The Sox were still finalizing their outfield depth as camp neared a conclusion.
Brooks Baldwin had been slowed recently by elbow soreness, complicating matters. The options could include Everson Pereira, acquired from Tampa Bay in an offseason trade. On Monday, Venable said Pereira had a “really good camp.”
Expect to see Andrew Benintendi at times in left field and as a designated hitter. And free-agent addition Austin Hays, who tied Acuña for the team lead with 18 hits this spring, will be playing either right or left field.
