Munetaka Murakami says there's no pressure despite all eyes being on him

GLENDALE, Ariz. — After arriving at his new spring home in a different country with a misspelled name plate, learning a new position and a foreign language, Munetaka Murakami appeared calm Saturday while facing about 40 reporters and camera operators.

"There's no pressure at the moment,” the White Sox’s newcomer said, one day before the first full-squad workout. “I'm really used to have these types of crowds and fans around me. Now it's just about being able to speak and communicate in English, and I'm getting used to it more and more.”

As spring progresses, the expectations will be greater for Murakami, 26, who averaged 33 home runs in eight seasons for the Yakult Swallows in Japan and will be asked to fortify a power-needy lineup while playing first base and not third, his natural position.

But in his first week with the Sox, Murakami shook off many of the nerves thanks to the entire organization and the help of translator Kenzo Yagi.

“Still working on English right now but lots of gestures, lot of short words, short terms, but the communication is there and we're happy to be teammates,” Murakami said.

The Sox have rolled out the red carpet for Murakami by installing bidets, and Murakami expressed his appreciation with drops of humor.

As for the bidet toilets, “basically what I did was told them how great the bidet is. It’s good for the environment too, right? Everybody uses too much toilet paper.”

When his first name on his nameplate was spelled ‘Munetaki,’ “I thought it was a joke,” Murakami said. “No hard feelings to the organization. It was crazy funny.”

Former Sox reliever Shingo Takatsu told Murakami that “Chicago is the best place,” and outside support has come from conversations with superstar Shohei Ohtani (“he texted me”) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga of the Cubs.

"Just do your thing, that was the advice.”

Hitting for power - Murakami’s forte - caught the attention of Colson Montgomery and manager Will Venable

“He’s got the juice, and he is really smart,” Montgomery said. “He has really good understanding of his swing and his process.”

Said Venable: “He will be in the middle of the lineup and excited to have him.”

One of Murakami’s hard-hit balls caromed off the back of pitcher Mike Vasil during live batting practice.

Murakami welcomes the challenges that await him. He will extend his stay with the Sox until Feb. 27, when he reports to Japan to play in the World Baseball Classic.

“I get more at-bats, get into (exhibition) games more,” Murakami said. “It helps Team Japan and the White Sox, and this is what I really wanted to do - get used to the games and get the most at-bats."

The extra time in the States will enable Murakami to learn the nuances of playing first base - which will include possessing the necessary footwork to hold runners.

"My main priority is doing the normal basic stuff - backhands, forehands - just getting all the balls so that I can make the basic plays,” Murakami said.

Murakami already has reciprocated some of the help his teammates have provided him.

“I’m teaching them Japanese every day. To be honest, everybody is coming with Japanese to me as well. The person who stands out is Chase (Meidroth). He’s coming with Mōhitotsu—it means one more. So we are getting there in communication.”

It was somewhat fitting that Murakami said “tranquilo.”

As in, “don’t worry.”