Which 2025 MLB International Free Agent Will Have the Best Debut Season in 2026?
The 2025 offseason was one of the busiest international free agent signing periods in recent memory. Additionally, the 2026 World Baseball Classic perfectly showcased how MLB and baseball in general are growing worldwide. Now, as baseball fans’ attention shifts to the 2026 MLB season, players hailing from Japan and Korea are looking to make an impact on MLB rosters across the league. Among the newcomers to the MLB scene are Munetaka Murakami, Sung Mun Song, and Tatsuya Imai. How will they make their mark this season?
Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox
During his first regular-season game on March 26th against the Milwaukee Brewers, Murakami served as the bright spot for the Chicago White Sox in a 14-2 loss. The 26-year-old slugger blasted a solo home run and drew two walks, while playing a solid game at first base. In recent years, it seems like the White Sox have been in the shadow of the Cubs, tallying 100 or more losses in each of the last three seasons and consistently playing in a near-empty stadium. It is a tough environment to succeed in, but the 26-year-old infielder should still settle some of the doubts about his MLB transition if he reaches the 20-home run mark and racks up about 70 runs batted in. For the White Sox, picking up a star of Murakami’s caliber should bring more attention and win the organization some new fans.
Sung Mun Song, San Diego Padres
Song may be the lesser-known or dark horse compared to Murakami and Imai. At the moment, the 29-year-old is on the injured list with an oblique injury, but when he gets back, he could be a force for the San Diego Padres. While in the KBO, Song put in time at first, second, and third base. During Spring Training, the Padres also tested him out at shortstop, hoping he could be their Swiss Army knife off the bench who can do anything: fill in at any infield position, steal a base, or pinch-hit in late-game situations. The 29-year-old infielder is geared to put the ball in play, as he held a batting average well over .300 in each of his last two seasons. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect an average hovering around .280 across the 2026 season from Song, considering it might take some time for him to get used to MLB pitching.
Tatsuya Imai, Houston Astros
Imai is one of the key additions the Houston Astros made to their starting rotation this offseason. He joins all-star Hunter Brown and 29-year-old Cristian Javier in an Astros rotation that is searching for a new identity and trying to gel as the 2026 season progresses. The 27-year-old Japanese starter had 10 wins in each of the last two years, while also having a shiny 1.92 earned run average at the conclusion of last season. If he can hold an earned run average under three against high-octane MLB offenses in about 150 innings of work and collect a similar number of wins, the Astros should be pleased with the results.
Final Thoughts and Outlook
Song and Imai will contribute to teams that are in the playoff hunt. On the other hand, Murakami will likely be on the outside looking in. However, given the way the Padres plan to use the Korean infielder, Imai and Murakami will likely put up the numbers to prove their worth to their new organizations and fanbases alike. Yet at the same time, injuries are always a factor, and Song could be thrust into the spotlight, just like his Japanese peers. So, make sure to keep up with these former international free agents to see what they accomplish during the 2026 season!
