When the White Sox signed Munetaka Murakami, there was hope.
There was even a healthy amount of “what if?”
What there probably wasn’t was “first rookie since 1901 to hit 20 home runs before June.”
The American League announced Wednesday that Murakami has been named AL Rookie of the Month for May, a recognition that feels less like an award and more like an acknowledgment of the baseball fever dream he authored over the season’s first two months.
Before a right hamstring strain landed him on the injured list on May 30, Murakami spent the month terrorizing opposing pitchers. In 26 May games, the White Sox first baseman slashed .244/.382/.556 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and 19 walks. Among all major-league rookies, he led the way in homers, runs scored, and walks while tying for the lead in RBIs.
The power has been obvious from the moment he arrived. The patience has been nearly as impressive. Even during stretches when the batting average dipped, Murakami kept reaching base and kept hitting the ball with authority. That’s how a player can post a .937 OPS during a month where he hit “only” .244.
And the season totals remain downright ridiculous.
In 57 games, Murakami is slashing .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs, 41 RBIs, 43 runs scored, and 44 walks. At the time of his injury, he was tied for the American League lead in both home runs and RBIs while ranking near the top of the league in runs scored, slugging percentage, OPS, and walks.
The pace was cartoonish: 58 home runs, 119 RBIs, 124 runs scored, and 127 walks over a full season.
For a franchise that has spent much of the last decade searching for impact hitters, Murakami immediately became one.
His 20 home runs before June didn’t just put him atop the rookie leaderboard. The feat had never been accomplished by a rookie in the modern era. In White Sox history, only Frank Thomas in 1994 and Jim Thome in 2006 had previously reached the 20-homer mark before the calendar flipped to June.
That’s elite company. That’s Hall of Fame company.
It’s also the latest reminder that Murakami’s transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to the major leagues has been far smoother than even the most optimistic projections could have imagined.
The White Sox will gladly trade individual awards for a healthy hamstring and a quick return to the lineup. Still, after two months spent rewriting record books and carrying the offense, Murakami has earned every bit of recognition coming his way.
The American League Rookie of the Month award is simply the latest piece of evidence.
And if his first two months in Chicago are any indication, it probably won’t be the last. Fingers crossed.