Autumn Dreamin

...Huh?

Reinsdorf also got a preview of this with the Yuki Kawamura effect on Bulls posts

Relatedly, Rikuu Nishida has been involved hosting camps for Japanese players who want to pursue the college > draft route. Along with Mune, can't hurt to keep raising the Sox profile there.

Think he's going to be a fan favorite quickly

I think a lot of Chicago sports fans felt it start to move a little bit over the last few days

I also saw earlier that the Red Sox are reportedly out on Marte after the Contreras deal

25. Fernando Graterol, C, Venezuela Born: Oct. 9, 2008. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175. Team: White Sox Graterol has a strong, broad-shouldered frame with more physical projection remaining. He already has some of the better raw power of any catcher in the 2026 international class and could grow into more once he’s physically mature. It could end up a power-over-hit profile with the potential to develop into a 20-plus home run hitter. Graterol has a strong arm, but he will need to make strides with his blocking and receiving to prove that he can stick behind the plate. 30. Sebastian Romero, OF, Venezuela Born: Sept. 4, 2008. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 175. Team: White Sox Romero has a lean, lively 6-foot-2 frame with advanced feel for hitting from the left side of the plate. It’s a sound, fluid swing with the ability to manipulate the barrel to square up pitches with good contact skills against live pitching. Romero has mostly doubles power now but with a lot of space left to fill out and potentially develop into a 20-plus home run hitter. He’s a good athlete and an above-average runner who moves around well in center field. From BA's top 30 preview. The rest of the top 100 should be out before the period opens

It was based on some random small sample size of incomplete data

Official

"Kicked the tires" feels lower on the "seat at the table" scale than "engaged in talks" but who knows.

Murakami himself is stateside right now fwiw. In NYC last I saw

Sox still adding to the data/analytics side. This guy is coming off of a year in the SF org. Pitching focus, has his own proprietary model listed on Linkedin/Github. Worked with the SF A ball team, who were champs last season behind a pitching staff that led their league comfortably in ERA/WHIP.

Most reputable source yet?

Like this for the Pirates

Definitely seems like the international side is his specialty. Wonder if he was drawn more by the AGM title or maybe the opportunity to expand his responsibilities/experience beyond that.

Getting your top signing (ranked #2 in the class by MLB) sniped a month before the period opens, yikes

At least I can properly root for him to figure it out now that he's not a Guardian