MLB analyst singles out Japanese rising star ahead of World Baseball Classic

MLB analyst Ben Verlander has hailed rising Japanese star Munetaka Murakami ahead of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Murakami is one of the biggest stars in Japanese baseball and is expected to announce himself to the rest of the world at the event.

Since his debut in September 2018, Murakami has been a consistent performer for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Japanese league. In his short career, the 23-year old is already a two-time Central League MVP, a three-time NPB All-Star and a Japan Series Champion in the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Munetaka Murakami's break-out year was in 2019 when he became the youngest player to start a game for the Swallows at just 19 and was eventually voted in to the All-Star game. In the last two seasons, he has been named the Central League MVP two times and even won the Japan Series in 2021.

Ahead of the World Baseball Classic, Verlander tweeted:

"MUNETAKA MURAKAMI!! This guy is the real deal. The world will know him soon enough. Either from this WBC or when he comes to MLB. He just homered off of Yu Darvish in Live BP. Studddd"

Japan will enter the World Baseball Classic as one of the favorites. They're the only country to have won it twice. They have one of the most impressive squads in world baseball, comprising the likes of superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Seiya Suzuki and Mataska Yoshida.

The Asian nation have long established themselves as a powerhouse in baseball. Murakami is the latest starlet who looks ready to make his name beyond his country.

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Munetaka Murakami ready to lead Japan to another World Baseball Classic title

Finding himself in one of the most exciting squads in the World Baseball Classic, Murakami fits right in.

He brings a lot of hitting power from the plate, as he's the best hitter in Japan right now. Last season, he shattered the record for most home runs in a season in the Japanese league, catching a lot of attention from MLB scouts in the US. It only seems to be a matter of time and opportunity till Murakami becomes one of the biggest names in world baseball.

Led by superstar Shohei Ohtani, Samurai Japan are in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic along with Korea, Czech Republic, China and Australia. They will play their first game on March 9 against China.