NEW YORK - Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami was named the American League's Rookie of the Month for May, Major League Baseball said Wednesday.
The 26-year-old, formerly of the Yakult Swallows, batted .244 during the span with eight homers and 18 RBIs in 26 games.
The Kumamoto native became the first Japan-born player to earn the monthly award since left-handed starter Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Clubs claimed the National League honor for the opening month of the 2024 season. Shohei Ohtani won the AL award twice in 2018 during his rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Angels.
Murakami, a former Triple Crown winner in Japan, got off to a strong start in the majors with homers in his first three games in a row.
As of late May, he was tied for the AL lead with 20 home runs and on pace to eclipse Ohtani's rookie mark of 22, though he is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
TJ Rumfield of the Colorado Rockies won the National League honor, hitting .310 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 25 games during the month.
