GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami wanted to check off a number of boxes before joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.
“I’m fully prepared with all the batting, fielding, throwing, everything, all the fundamentals that are needed for me to prepare and to go out to the WBC,” Murakami said through an interpreter Thursday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.
The two-time Nippon Professional Baseball Japanese Central League Most Valuable Player, who signed a two-year deal with the Sox in the offseason, made a strong impression before temporarily leaving spring training.
“Just loved the person,” manager Will Venable said. “His ability to be part of the group, this young group, his personality has been amazing. What really stuck out is we asked him to do things in his training and preparation that are different than what he’s done in the past.
“For someone to be so convicted in his preparation and takes it so seriously, to be that adjustable has been cool to see. Excited about getting him back in the White Sox uniform again with the season starting and seeing him do his thing.”
Murakami heads to Tokyo after playing four Cactus League games. He went 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles, two RBIs and five strikeouts. He also got plenty of defensive work in.
“He’s worked extremely hard at first base and been able to get comfortable over there and understand some of the nuances of that position,” Venable said. “At the same time maintaining his glove over at third base and his skills over there. Being able to engage in the program with the hitting guys has been great. He’s been awesome all the way around.”
That includes the connections he’s made with his new teammates.
“He’s been great,” Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery said. “I just like talking to him about random stuff, nothing baseball at all, that is most of our conversations. From the moment I met him here, I feel like his English has gotten a lot better. We’ve had good conversations without his translator and that shows a lot about him, that he’s willing to learn English a lot for the betterment of the team, for us being able to communicate with him too.
“He’s teaching us some words. He’s good. He’s a great addition.”
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Murakami has enjoyed creating the bonds.
“I’m really glad to have a lot of teammates who have my back,” Murakami said.
Murakami was originally slated to play in Thursday’s Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers before his trip, but he was scratched with general fatigue. It was a precautionary move, the Sox said, in advance to the long flight to Tokyo.
“I was ramping up at a very high speed,” Murakami said. “I’m feeling very good at the plate. When I looked at the schedule with my long flight coming up (Friday), I thought this was a very good idea to take a rest day and prepared for the upcoming schedule.
“In the past two weeks, it was a very tight schedule with everyday practices. Every day I was not feeling that much pressure but when I did look at it with a holistic point of view, I thought that some fatigue was getting on to me, to be honest. This is where I kind of realized it.”
Murakami is one of five Sox players set to play in the event. Infielder Curtis Mead is playing for Team Australia, catcher Kyle Teel and infielder Sam Antonacci are on Team Italy and reliever Seranthony Domínguez is on Team Dominican Republic.
This will be Murakami’s second appearance in the WBC. He was a key contributor to Team Japan’s run to the championship in 2023.
“I’m going to go into every single game to win it and that’s my fullest goal,” Murakami said, “to think about that and go into the batter’s box with every intention of winning it, each and every single game.”
The first round of the WBC begins March 5, with the championship game set for March 17.
Venable wished Murakami luck and is excited to watch him play.
“Going to be rooting for him and his success,” Venable said. “Even when he’s playing Team USA we’ll be rooting for him, maybe not Team Japan as much. Just excited to see him go do his thing and be tuned in.”