Two rookies, Munetaka Murakami and Chase DeLauter, have accomplished a rare power feat by homering in each of their first three MLB games, instantly becoming the third and fourth players in history to do so and injecting immediate hope into struggling franchises.
The start of the 2026 MLB season has been defined by two names: Munetaka Murakami and Chase DeLauter. In a span of days, the Chicago White Sox slugger and Cleveland Guardians outfielder have done what only two players—Trevor Story (2016) and Kyle Lewis (2019)—had done before: hit a home run in each of their first three major league games.
This isn’t just a hot start; it’s an immediate, historic power injection that rewrites the early narrative for two teams desperate for a spark. For the White Sox, mired in three consecutive 100-loss seasons, Murakami’s bat provides a tangible reason for hope. For the Guardians, DeLauter’s explosive debut validates a top draft pick and accelerates their competitive window.
The Exclusive Club: A Fraternity of Four
According to data from Sportradar cited in the original report, the list of players to homer in their first three MLB games is now four deep. This club represents the rarest of beginnings—a level of immediate, sustained power production that defies the typical adjustment period for even the most talented rookies.
- Trevor Story (2016, COL): The benchmark. Story homered in his first four games, a record that now stands as the next mountain for Murakami to climb.
- Kyle Lewis (2019, SEA): The previous most recent member, whose early power hinted at his eventual American League Rookie of the Year season.
- Munetaka Murakami (2026, CWS): The Japanese superstar, whose power was proven in eight seasons with the Yakult Swallows but faced questions about its translation to MLB.
- Chase DeLauter (2026, CLE): The fourth overall pick in 2022, whose prodigious power in the minors and spring training is now a major league reality.
Munetaka Murakami: The Proven Star Adjusts Instantly
Murakami’s path is distinct. At 26, he arrives as a proven star, not a raw prospect. He hit 246 home runs in Japan’s Central League, including a staggering 56 in 2022. His two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox was a significant investment in that proven track record [Associated Press].
The questions centered on his high strikeout rate (977 in 3,780 Japanese PA) and whether his swing would adjust to MLB pitching. Three games in, the answers are resounding. He homered off Jake Woodford in his debut, Chad Patrick on Saturday, and Brandon Sproat on Sunday, the latter a 3-2 pitch launched into the White Sox bullpen [Associated Press].
His approach is already drawing praise. “The park doesn’t seem big enough to hold him,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Sunday’s 9-7 loss [Associated Press]. Teammate Colson Montgomery highlighted his daily work ethic: “He comes in day in and day out and he’s doing stuff. He never skips anything.”
The next test is Monday in Miami, where he can tie Story’s record of four straight games with a homer to begin a career. The stage is set for a historic chase.
Chase DeLauter: The Top Prospect Arrives with a Bang
DeLauter’s story is that of a can’t-miss prospect meeting the moment. Drafted 16th overall by James Madison in 2022, he forced the Guardians’ hand with a .459/.535 spring training performance, complete with three homers [Associated Press].
His first three games were a masterclass in clutch hitting. Two homers in his debut on Thursday, including one in his first career regular-season at-bat. A solo shot off George Kirby on Friday. Then, the pièce de résistance: a game-tying two-run blast in the 10th inning off Seattle’s elite closer Andrés Muñoz to secure a 6-5 victory on Saturday [Associated Press].
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called the Saturday homer a display of maturity: “He had a tough night up until that point, and obviously facing one of the best closers in the league… to hit a ball oppo in Seattle at night when it’s cold, that takes some kind of power.” DeLauter’s four homers in three games actually surpass Murakami’s total in the same span, creating a fascinating subplot to the shared milestone.
Why This Matters: Immediate Impact on Franchise Trajectories
For fans and analysts, this goes beyond a cool stat. It’s a signal of potential franchise-altering talent arriving at the perfect time.
The White Sox are a team in a deep, organizational crisis. Their 9-7 loss on Sunday was emblematic—a blown 7-2 lead, continuing a trend of poor fundamentals. Murakami’s presence is the first genuine offensive excitement in years. His .538 on-base percentage and four walks (against four strikeouts) show a sophisticated approach, not just raw power. He represents a bridge from a failed era to a potential future, and his chase for Story’s record will dominate baseball conversation this week.
The Guardians are a contender built on pitching and defense. DeLauter’s power provides a dimension they lacked, especially in the middle of the order. His ability to deliver in extra innings against a premier closer hints at a high-floor, high-ceiling contributor. While he went 1-for-3 with a single on Sunday in an 8-0 loss to Seattle [Associated Press], the three-game sample is overwhelmingly positive and forces opposing pitchers to game-plan differently.
The Fan Perspective: What-Ifs and Record Chases
The baseball world is already buzzing. The immediate question for Murakami: can he homer in his fourth game Monday against the Marlins? The pressure will be immense, but his professional background suggests he’s built for it.
For DeLauter, the conversation turns to sustainability. Can he maintain this pace? The Guardians will likely keep him in the lineup, and his performance has already quieted any doubt about his readiness. Fans are dreaming of a long-term duo of DeLauter and established stars like José Ramírez, transforming Cleveland’s offense.
Both players also embody the global nature of the modern game—Murakami from Japan’s premier league, DeLauter from a mid-major college (James Madison). Their success validates diverse development paths and fuels fan theories about which other international stars or draft prospects could make an immediate leap.
The Path Forward: Scrutiny and Expectation
Pitchers will adjust. The book will be written on these two hitters. The next two weeks will be as telling as the first three games. But the foundation is set. They have announced themselves on the biggest stage with the most dramatic of tools: the home run.
This is more than a story about a good start. It’s the arrival of two potentially franchise-changing talents, a historical footnote that is already being written, and a reminder that in baseball, the future can arrive with the crack of a bat on Opening Day.
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