Munetaka Murakami continues to surprise Major League Baseball and has already written his name in the MLB history books, as the Japanese player hit his 20th home run of the season during the Chicago White Sox’ 15-2 win over the Minnesota Twins, setting a new record for rookie players before the start of June.
The performance occurred during the series finale at Rate Field, where Murakami once again demonstrated the enormous power that has quickly made him one of the baseball sensations of 2026. The homer came in the bottom of the seventh inning off pitcher Travis Adams. It left the bat at a speed of 108.3 miles per hour and traveled a distance of approximately 432 feet to center field, unleashing the euphoria of the fans in Chicago.
Murakami surpasses historic marks in MLB
HOME RUN NO. 20 FOR MUNETAKA MURAKAMI! pic.twitter.com/dTKOthwTu6
– MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2026
With this home run, the Japanese left behind the marks he shared with historical figures such as Pete Alonso and Mark McGwire.
Who had hit 19 home runs as rookies prior to June in the 2019 and 1987 seasons, respectively.
Munetaka Murakami had tied that MLB record just a day earlier.
But it didn’t take him long to break it and stand alone with one of the most impressive offensive marks for a rookie in recent Major League history.
In addition, Murakami became only the third player in MLB to hit at least 20 home runs in his first 55 games in the Major Leagues.
The historical list was as follows:
Cody Bellinger (2017): 22 home runs
Wally Berger (1930): 21 home runs
Munetaka Murakami (2026): 20 home runs
The speed with which the Japanese has adapted to American baseball has generated enormous attention both in the United States and in Japan, where he was already considered a star before coming to MLB.
Chicago finds a new offensive figure
Murakami also achieved another important piece of information for the White Sox franchise.
With only 55 games played, he already became one of the few players on the team capable of reaching 20 homers in that initial period.
Only legends such as Frank Thomas and Jim Thome had achieved a similar figure with Chicago in the beginning of their time with the organization.
He once again demonstrated his enormous power
QuéOnnda.com
Emerges as Rookie of the Year candidate
Thanks to his explosive start to the season, Munetaka Murakami already appears as one of the main favorites to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.
His combination of power, offensive discipline and ability to respond in important moments has made him one of the most important stories of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
