Kazuma

Okamoto

Munetaka Murakami won the first MLB matchup of the Japanese greats today, going 1-for-4 with a walk for a White Sox team that prevailed 5-4. Okamoto is hitting .250/.323/.464 with two homers, which is obviously just fine. However, that he’s struck out 15 times in 31 plate appearances is definitely of some concern. 14 of the 20 pitches he saw today were four-seamers or sinkers. He swung at 10 and obviously put none of them in play.

It’s the first MLB homer for Okamoto, and it’s one of three that the Blue Jays hit while completing the sweep of the A’s. The 29-year-old hit .333/.429/.589 over those contests, and has looked anything but overmatched in the (very) early portion of the 2026 campaign.

The Jays have a deep enough lineup that this shouldn’t mess with his run and RBI opportunities too much, but fantasy managers probably were hoping he’d hit higher than this. The full lineup against RHP Luis Severino is: DH George Springer, LF Nathan Lukes, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., RF Addison Barger, C Alejandro Kirk, CF Daulton Varsho, Okamoto, 2B Ernie Clement, and SS Andrés Giménez.

The Jays have finished the spring with either Clement of Nathan Lukes hitting in that second spot in the order between George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which could be indicative of how they’ll line up once the regular season begins. Those lineups have had Daulton Varsho batting in the sixth slot with Kazuma Okamoto batting seventh.

Okamoto’s homer off the batting eye in center left his bat at 103.4 mph and was projected at 431 feet. He struck out in his other at-bat, leaving him 1-for-4 in two appearances this spring. He hit fifth today after batting sixth in his first game Saturday.

Okamoto immediately slots into the heart of Toronto’s loaded lineup as the defending American League champions open their spring exhibition schedule. The 29-year-old infielder brings an extensive track record of success in Japan as a power-oriented bat with solid contact skills, a profile that should make his transition to the majors less volatile than most international imports. He’s been going outside the top 275 picks on average in NFBC drafts since early February, making him an intriguing late-round flyer for fantasy managers. Here is the full lineup: Ernie Clement (2B), Andrés Giménez (SS), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Alejandro Kirk (C), Addison Barger (RF, Okamoto (3B), Daulton Varsho (DH), Davis Schneider (LF), Nathan Lukes (CF).

The deal is now official. Okamoto takes over as Toronto’s everyday third baseman after slashing a healthy .322/.411/.581 with 15 homers and 51 RBI in just 314 plate appearances with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan last season. He’s a strong candidate to reach 15-20 home runs with a respectable batting average, especially in the hitter-friendly AL East, but he offers little stolen base upside. It’s a phenomenal landing spot for the 29-year-old infielder, who represents an intriguing late-round option in fantasy drafts this spring.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports it’s a four-year, $60 million contract and includes a $5 million signing bonus. There are no opt-outs. Okamoto lands with the reigning American League champions shortly before his signing deadline later this weekend. The 29-year-old international star was also linked to linked to the Pirates, Red Sox, Padres, Mariners and Angels as a potential corner infield option. He’s the overwhelming favorite to start at third base for Toronto next season, while also occasionally heading out to patrol left field, and projects as a versatile 20-homer threat with a respectable batting average. He doesn’t offer much from a stolen base perspective, but dropping into one of the most explosive offenses in baseball provides a definite boost to his fantasy appeal as an intriguing late-round dart throw in drafts this spring.

Feinsand adds that Okamoto has been linked to the Pirates, Red Sox, Padres, Mariners and Angels as a potential corner infield option. He has until 5:00 p.m. ET on December 4 to reach an agreement with a major-league team. The Athletic’s Will Sammon adds that Okamoto’s limited experience in left field could make him a potential fit for the Blue Jays. The 29-year-old projects as a potential 20-homer threat with a respectable batting average in his impending stateside debut but he’s unlikely to chip in more than a handful of stolen bases. There should be a definitive update regarding his long-term future by the conclusion of the weekend.

Okamoto’s posting deadline is on January 4th, which will give him the remainder of the week to decide on a team. Previous reports seemed to indicate that he was all but down to the Angels and the Pirates, but Yahoo is reporting that Okamoto has meetings set up with the Blue Jays, Cubs, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Padres, Angels, and Pirates, so his market may be a bit more robust than previously believed.