Editor’s Note: It wasn’t too long ago when I discussed Munetaka Murakami and how noteworthy of a start his MLB career was getting off to, but it’s still happening, folks. Sure, a hamstring injury will keep him on the shelf for multiple weeks, but his first two months of 2026 were so good, we had to slice and dice the stats just a little more.
This post was compiled by my friend, Alan Goldsher, who writes about sports in Chicago for Chicago Sports Stuff on Substack. It’s some very entertaining “stuff,” I might add, so if that’s your thing, make sure you subscribe!
THERE ARE home runs, and there are home runs. And the vast majority of Munetaka Murakami’s bombs are very much the latter.
As of this writing, the Chicago White Sox’ 26-year-old rookie is spraying ropes all over MLB’s ass, so much so that every one of his at-bats has become a must-watch, as he’ll either pound one deep into the bleachers or create a tornado with one of his soon-to-be patented whirling strikeouts.
There’s something about the semi-rotund 6’2” incher that’s special. Maybe it’s his innate oomph. Maybe it’s his evident love of the game. Maybe it’s his backstory. Maybe it’s his semi-rotund-edness. Whatever it is, the whole thing got me wondering how he compares to other first-year mashers.
Here’s how Murakami’s first two-plus months and/or his first 57 games stack up against the top-20 rookie home run seasons in MLB history, sorted here by home runs per at bat:
Munetaka Murakami
- 1 HR every 10.0 AB
- 200 AB
- 20 HR
- Avg Exit Velocity: 94.2 mph
- Hard-Hit Rate: 58.7%
- Barrel Rate: 20.7%
- xSLG: .552
- xwOBA: .380
- HR/FB Rate: 36.2%
1) Cody Bellinger (2017, Dodgers — first 57 games; called up April 25)
- 1 HR every 7.9 AB (-2.1)
- 183 AB
- 23 HR (-3)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 89.9 mph (-4.3 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 41.8% (-16.9%)
- Barrel Rate: 11.2% (-9.5%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 39
2) Wally Berger (1930, Braves — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 9.5 AB (-0.5)
- 210 AB
- 22 HR (-2)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 38
3) Aaron Judge (2017, Yankees — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.1 AB (+0.1)
- 171 AB
- 17 HR (-3)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 95.0 mph (+0.8 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 56.2% (-2.5%)
- Barrel Rate: 19.2% (-1.5%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 52
4) Albert Pujols (2001, Cardinals — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.3 AB (+0.3)
- 195 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 37
5) Ryan Braun (2007, Brewers — first 57 games; debuted May 25)
- 1 HR every 10.3 AB (+0.3)
- 175 AB
- 17 HR (-3)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 34
6) Mark McGwire (1987, Athletics — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.4 AB (+0.4)
- 197 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 49
7) Pete Alonso (2019, Mets — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.6 AB (+0.6)
- 201 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 92.4 mph (-1.8 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 50.1% (-8.6%)
- Barrel Rate: 14.6% (-6.1%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 53
8) Nick Kurtz (2025, Athletics — first 57 games; debuted April 23)
- 1 HR every 11.6 AB (+1.6)
- 185 AB
- 16 HR (-4)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 36
9) Jose Abreu (2014, White Sox — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 11.7 AB (+1.7)
- 210 AB
- 18 HR (-2)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 36
10) Frank Robinson (1956, Reds — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 14.6 AB (+4.6)
- 175 AB
- 12 HR (-8)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 38
11) Mike Piazza (1993, Dodgers — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 16.8 AB (+6.8)
- 185 AB
- 11 HR (-9)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 35
12) Tim Salmon (1993, Angels — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 18.9 AB (+8.9)
- 170 AB
- 9 HR (-11)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 31
13) Al Rosen (1950, Indians — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.0 AB (+10.0)
- 160 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 37
14) Rudy York (1937, Tigers — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.0 AB (+10.0)
- 160 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 35
15) Walt Dropo (1950, Red Sox — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.6 AB (+10.6)
- 165 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 34
16) Jim Ray Hart (1964, Giants — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.6 AB (+10.6)
- 165 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 31
17) Adolis Garcia (2021, Rangers — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 21.3 AB (+11.3)
- 170 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 89.7 mph (-4.5 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 40.3% (-18.4%)
- Barrel Rate: 9.8% (-10.9%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 31
18) Nomar Garciaparra (1997, Red Sox — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 21.7 AB (+11.7)
- 195 AB
- 9 HR (-11)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 30
19) Mike Trout (2012, Angels — first 57 games; recalled April 28)
- 1 HR every 22.2 AB (+12.2)
- 200 AB
- 9 HR (-11)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 90.8 mph (-3.4 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 44.1% (-14.6%)
- Barrel Rate: 10.2% (-10.5%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 30
20) Eloy Jimenez (2019, White Sox — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 23.6 AB (+13.6)
- 165 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 93.1 mph (-1.1 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 52.4% (-6.3%)
- Barrel Rate: 15.8% (-4.9%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 31
Murakami would slot in at freakin’ #3, ahead of Aaron freakin’ Judge, Albert freakin’ Pujols, and Frank freakin’ Robinson. Methinks that’d get him some free Portillo’s chocolate cake.
Now, howzabout we see how his first two months and/or initial 57 games look next to his contemporaries, specifically the 20 players with the most dingers since 2000:
1) Aaron Judge (2017, Yankees — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.1 AB (+0.1)
- 171 AB
- 17 HR (-3)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 95.0 mph (+0.8 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 56.2% (-2.5%)
- Barrel Rate: 19.2% (-1.5%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 52
2) Albert Pujols (2001, Cardinals — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.3 AB (+0.3)
- 195 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 37
3) Ryan Braun (2007, Brewers — first 57 games; debuted May 25)
- 1 HR every 10.3 AB (+0.3)
- 175 AB
- 17 HR (-3)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 34
4) Kyle Schwarber (2015, Cubs — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 13.1 AB (+3.1)
- 170 AB
- 13 HR (-7)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 90.5 mph (-3.7 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 45.2% (-13.5%)
- Barrel Rate: 14.1% (-6.6%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 16
5) Adam Dunn (2001, Reds — first 57 games; debuted July 20)
- 1 HR every 14.6 AB (+4.6)
- 175 AB
- 12 HR (-8)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 19
6) Giancarlo Stanton (2010, Marlins — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.0 AB (+10.0)
- 120 AB
- 6 HR (-14)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 94.3 mph (+0.1 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 55.8% (-2.9%)
- Barrel Rate: 18.3% (-2.4%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 22
7) Mark Teixeira (2003, Rangers — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 21.0 AB (+11.0)
- 210 AB
- 10 HR (-10)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 26
8) Mike Trout (2012, Angels — first 57 games; recalled April 28)
- 1 HR every 22.2 AB (+12.2)
- 200 AB
- 9 HR (-11)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 90.8 mph (-3.4 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 44.1% (-14.6%)
- Barrel Rate: 10.2% (-10.5%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 30
9) Bryce Harper (2012, Nationals — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 23.1 AB (+13.1)
- 185 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 91.2 mph (-3.0 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 46.3% (-12.4%)
- Barrel Rate: 11.8% (-8.9%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 22
10) Miguel Cabrera (2003, Marlins — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 24.4 AB (+14.4)
- 195 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 12
11) Ryan Howard (2006, Phillies — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 26.4 AB (+16.4)
- 185 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 58
12) Carlos Beltran (1999, Royals — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 26.9 AB (+16.9)
- 215 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 22
13) Nelson Cruz (2006, Rangers — first 57 games; recalled July 27)
- 1 HR every 27.2 AB (+17.2)
- 163 AB
- 6 HR (-14)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 9
14) Alex Rodriguez (1996, Mariners — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 27.9 AB (+17.9)
- 195 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 36
15) Jim Thome (1993, Indians — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 28.0 AB (+18.0)
- 140 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 20
16) Manny Ramirez (1994, Indians — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 28.0 AB (+18.0)
- 140 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 17
17) Manny Machado (2012, Orioles — first 57 games; debuted August 9)
- 1 HR every 28.6 AB (+18.6)
- 200 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Avg Exit Velocity: 90.1 mph (-4.1 mph)
- Hard-Hit Rate: 43.2% (-15.5%)
- Barrel Rate: 9.6% (-11.1%)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 7
18) Edwin Encarnacion (2005, Reds — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 30.0 AB (+20.0)
- 150 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 9
19) Paul Goldschmidt (2011, DBacks — first 57 games; debuted August 1)
- 1 HR every 30.0 AB (+20.0)
- 120 AB
- 4 HR (-16)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 8
20) David Ortiz (1997, Twins — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 90.0 AB (+80.0)
- 90 AB
- 1 HR (-19)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 1
Whoa. Number one. This is the first time any Chicago Pale Hoser has finished first in anything in forever.
Now comes the big one: Eminem’s first 57 games and/or end-of-May numbers versus the rookie years from the 20 greatest home run hitters in MLB history, also sorted by home runs per at bat:
(As per the previous section, at the beginning of their respective maiden seasons, the majority of these folks weren’t in the daily lineup nearly as often as Murakami, but it’s still a fun thought experiment.)
1) Albert Pujols (2001, Cardinals — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.3 AB (+0.3)
- 195 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 37
2) Mark McGwire (1987, Athletics — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 10.4 AB (+0.4)
- 197 AB
- 19 HR (-1)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 49
3) Frank Robinson (1956, Reds — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 14.6 AB (+4.6)
- 175 AB
- 12 HR (-8)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 38
4) Willie McCovey (1959, Giants — full rookie season, 52 games)
- 1 HR every 14.8 AB (+4.8)
- 192 AB
- 13 HR (-7)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 13
5) Mike Piazza (1993, Dodgers — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 16.8 AB (+6.8)
- 185 AB
- 11 HR (-9)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 35
6) Willie Mays (1951, Giants — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 17.7 AB (+7.7)
- 230 AB
- 13 HR (-7)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 20
7) Eddie Mathews (1952, Braves — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.6 AB (+10.6)
- 165 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 25
8) Harmon Killebrew (1959, Senators — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 20.7 AB (+10.7)
- 145 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 42
9) Ken Griffey Jr. (1989, Mariners — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 21.9 AB (+11.9)
- 175 AB
- 8 HR (-12)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 16
10) Reggie Jackson (1968, Athletics — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 22.1 AB (+12.1)
- 155 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 29
11) Alex Rodriguez (1996, Mariners — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 27.9 AB (+17.9)
- 195 AB
- 7 HR (-13)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 36
12) Jim Thome (1993, Indians — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 28.0 AB (+18.0)
- 140 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 20
13) Manny Ramirez (1994, Indians — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 28.0 AB (+18.0)
- 140 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 17
14) Mike Schmidt (1973, Phillies — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 29.0 AB (+19.0)
- 145 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 18
15) Babe Ruth (1919, Red Sox — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 30.0 AB (+20.0)
- 120 AB
- 4 HR (-16)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 29
16) Hank Aaron (1954, Braves — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 31.0 AB (+21.0)
- 155 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 13
17) Ernie Banks (1954, Cubs — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 31.0 AB (+21.0)
- 155 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 19
18) Barry Bonds (1986, Pirates — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 36.0 AB (+26.0)
- 180 AB
- 5 HR (-15)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 16
19) Sammy Sosa (1989, Rangers — first 57 games)
- 1 HR every 45.8 AB (+35.8)
- 183 AB
- 4 HR (-16)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 4
20) David Ortiz (1997, Twins — through end of May)
- 1 HR every 90.0 AB (+80.0)
- 90 AB
- 1 HR (-19)
- Rookie-Year HR Total: 1
This is a looooooooong, numbers-centric way of saying that Munetaka Murakami is probably on the way to one helluva career.
And he’s definitely on the way to one helluva rookie season, even if it will be shortened by injury.
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