Murakami, from what I’ve heard, just signed a three year deal that guaranteed a posting at the end, so that’s put him coming over at 25, too. It’s always possible he talks them into letting him go sooner, but I find it hard to expect anyone to come before 25 under the current MLB international “amateur”rules.
He’s been better than expected at third, but it’s just passable. I can’t see that surviving once he loses even a step. I think he’s a 1B/DH over here by the time he comes. Im a little worried about him long-term, tbh. He’s elite, but he’s extremely polished. He’s a high plate discipline pure slugger, so it’s hard to project any upside, and so you just have to wonder how he’ll long he can hold his peak as he ages. It’s a classic “old player skills” situation. But we’ll see. I’m rooting for him.