While the baseball world is buzzing about the start of Spring Training and the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), the biggest story on the South Side of Chicago is the arrival of a Japanese legend in the making.
The 2026 season marks a massive influx of Japanese talent into MLB, but for the Chicago White Sox, it’s the beginning of a new era. Here are the most interesting prospects and superstars from Japan to watch as we head into the 2026 season.
The White Sox Crown Jewel: Munetaka Murakami (3B/1B)
The “God of Village” has officially landed in Chicago. After years of speculation, the White Sox stunned the league this winter by signing Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal.
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The Pedigree: At just 26 years old, Murakami is a two-time MVP and the youngest player in NPB history to hit 50 home runs in a season (he hit 56 in 2022).
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Spring Training Heat: In his Cactus League debut just yesterday (Feb 20), Murakami silenced critics of his “adjustment period” by tattooing a 108.3 mph double against the Cubs.
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The Role: While he played third base for the Yakult Swallows, the White Sox plan to primarily use him at first base and DH to maximize his offensive output while he adjusts to MLB velocity.
The Blue Jays’ Power Play: Kazuma Okamoto (3B/1B)
Toronto didn’t want to be left out of the Japanese market, snagging the Yomiuri Giants’ captain, Kazuma Okamoto, on a four-year, $60 million contract.
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Why He’s Interesting: Unlike Murakami, who is a left-handed “power first” hitter, Okamoto is a righty with a more balanced approach. He has hit at least 30 homers in six different seasons in Japan and is considered a more polished defender at the “hot corner.”
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2026 Outlook: Expect him to split time between third base and left field as the Blue Jays try to fit his massive bat into a lineup already featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Astros’ New Fireballer: Tatsuya Imai (RHP)
The Houston Astros pulled off a sneak-attack signing this offseason, landing Tatsuya Imai on a three-year, $54 million deal.
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The Stuff: Imai is known for a “wrong-way” slider and a high-velocity fastball that plays perfectly in the Astros’ “pitch design” laboratory.
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The “Posting” Steal: Many expected him to stay another year in Japan, but Houston’s aggressive pursuit makes him one of the most intriguing “rookie” starters for 2026.
Sophomore Watch: Roki Sasaki (LA Dodgers)
While not a “new” 2026 prospect, the “Monster of the Reiwa Era” enters his second MLB season with more eyes on him than ever.
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The 2025 Recap: His rookie year was a rollercoaster—flashes of 102 mph brilliance followed by a three-month stint on the IL with shoulder impingement.
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The 2026 Twist: The Dodgers have blocked Sasaki from playing in the 2026 WBC to ensure he has a healthy Spring Training. He’s currently in camp developing a third pitch (a gyro-slider) to help him transition from a dominant reliever back into an elite starter.
Names to Watch in the 2026 WBC
If you want to see the next wave of Japanese stars who will be posted in 2027 or 2028, keep your eyes on these three names during the tournament next month:
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Teruaki Sato (OF, Hanshin Tigers): A left-handed slugger who hit 40 HRs in NPB last year. He’s the “next big thing” in the outfield market.
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Hiroto Saiki (RHP, Hanshin Tigers): Many scouts believe he is the best pitcher in Japan not named Sasaki or Yamamoto. He has a “vertical” approach that MLB teams covet.
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Atsuki Taneichi (RHP, Chiba Lotte Marines): A strikeout machine (150+ in three straight seasons) who is expected to lead Japan’s rotation in the WBC with Sasaki and Ohtani (pitching-wise) sidelined.
Prediction for the South Side
White Sox fans have endured a rough few years, but Murakami gives them a legitimate “must-watch” superstar. If his power translates—which that 108 mph double suggests it will—he could be the first White Sox player to win Rookie of the Year since José Abreu in 2014.
