Can Munetaka Murakami be the next Kyle Schwarber with MLB Network’s Dan Plesac

The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Chicago Sports Network

Sports, Sports:baseball, Baseball

4.7 • 620 Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2026

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Chuck Garfien is joined by MLB Network and CHSN White Sox analyst Dan Plesac for a conversation on the early stages of the 2026 season. They open with Munetaka Murakami’s power surge and why Plesac sees shades of Kyle Schwarber in his game. Plesac also shares his thoughts on Davis Martin’s impressive form and the early impact of rookie lefty Noah Schultz. Later, the conversation dives into the White Sox rotation’s standout numbers and what it will take for Shane Smith to work his way back to the big leagues. Plesac offers his perspective on modern pitching strategies like using an opener and what steps the Sox need to take to climb back to .500. He also reflects on his passion for covering the team as a lifelong South Side fan and shares why the return of the Southside rally polo has him fired up for the season ahead.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The White Sox podcast with Chuck Garfine is brought to you by Wind Creek Chicago Southland.
0:04.6	Are you ready for your winning moment? Find it at Win Creek Chicago Southland where the action never stops.
0:12.3	What makes you a dangerous hitter for teams?
0:16.0	Power. Power. I have a power.
0:19.1	You have power. Yes. You're learning that in English already. No. I have power. Power. You have power. Yes. You're learning that in English already.
0:22.3	No.
0:23.1	Yes.
0:24.1	I have power.
0:24.8	That was Munitaka, Murakami, here on the podcast back in December after the White Sox shocked the baseball world by winning the Murakami sweepstakes.
0:45.4	Well, he said he had power.
0:49.2	And so far, he's been lighting up the scoreboard with Moon A Moonshots that are creating a whole lot of buzz around baseball.
0:58.5	Hey, everyone.
0:59.0	It's Chuck Arfine.
0:59.8	This is the White Sox podcast brought to by Wink Creek, Chicago, Southland.
1:03.9	And on the podcast today, a whole lot about Murakami with one of our favorite guests,
1:10.5	the one and only Dan Pleizak of MLB Network,
1:13.8	who will also be back on White Sox broadcasts for a bunch of games this year, 20 here on CHSN.
1:22.1	And I wanted to get his thoughts on Murakami, who's been in the major for less than a month. He's already
1:29.8	homered in three straight games twice. And as a former left-handed pitcher who spent
1:36.0	18 years in the major leagues and whose job it was to get out lefty power hitters like
1:43.0	Barry Bonds,
1:46.1	Ken Griffey Jr. and Fred McGriff,
	...

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