Former Sox Shingo Takatsu is bullish on Munetaka Murakami

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Perhaps no one with a White Sox connection knows Munetaka Murakami better than Shingo Takatsu.

Takatsu, a sidearm closer who earned 27 saves for the Sox in 1 1/2 seasons (2004-05), was Murakami’s manager with the Yakult Swallows for the last six seasons and was one of more than a dozen Japanese media members who observed his former slugger’s workout.

“I’ve only seen him one day,” said Takatsu, who now works for Fuji TV. “But he has the ability to adopt and blend in very well. He’s very friendly, so I’m sure he’ll make it.”

Takatsu saw Murakami at his zenith in Japan, when he hit 56 home runs, drove in 134 runs and posted a 1.168 OPS in 141 games.

“It’s hard to say that he’ll do the same here,” Takatsu said through a translator. “But he’s a home run hitter. He did very well in Japan, so I think he’ll do well here.”

Takatsu acknowledged that it could take a while for Murakami to adjust to workouts and daily life in the States but knows the Sox have developed a reputation for taking care of Japanese players like himself and Tadahito Iguchi, a staple of the Sox’s 2005 World Series championship team.

As for adjusting to pitching and managing to a media job, Takatsu quipped, “I’d rather be wear a uniform.”

Takatsu and Kaz Matsui, who played seven seasons with the Mets, Rockies and Astros, were among the former major leaguers from Japan who watched Murakami.

“We are getting an understanding of how big of a deal Mune is,” Sox manager Will Venable said “Certainly, the attention he gets is well deserved for what he’s accomplished.”

Venable wasn’t sure if Murakami would start at first base in Friday’s exhibition opener against the Cubs in Mesa, but he intends to give him and a few others players game opportunities before they depart for the World Baseball Classic.

Will power

Venable addressed expectations in a meeting prior to the first full-squad workout

“We told these guys there is no limit to what we believe they can do,” Venable said. “It’s about them and our support of helping them realize the belief that we have in this club.”

Workouts have been staggered into four groups starting their work 20 minutes apart before reuniting for team fundamental drills.

“There will be lots of time for these guys to be on the field together, and some of the veteran guys and younger guys will be able to pick each other’s brains,” Venable said.

Crash course in center

Luisangel Acuña has played all but three of his 580 major league innings in the infield, yet he is eager to show his talents in center field.

“To be honest with you, I feel more comfortable playing in center field,” said Acuña, who was acquired last month for Luis Robert Jr.

Acuña said he noticed a difference during his brief time in center for Texas’ Double-A Frisco affiliate. He also 17 games in center in the Venezuelan Winter League prior to his trade from the Mets to Sox.

“I’m going to play whatever they ask me to play, and I’ll be ready for that.”

Infielder Lenyn Sosa (birth of child) and Acuña (visa paperwork) didn’t partake in the entire workout because they didn’t arrive until Sunday.

“We want to make sure we are getting them off on the right foot and be mindful of what they have been through these last couple of days with their travel,” Venable said.