Toronto Blue Jays’ $60 Million Star Kazuma Okamoto Stuck In Concerning Slump

After the Blue Jays brought in Japanese veteran infielder Kazuma Okamoto and parted ways with longtime franchise shortstop Bo Bichette, it seemed like their batting order might take a step back overall.

And while Okamoto has enjoyed some impressive production from the plate, he was mired in a concerning 0-for-18 slump with a dozen strikeouts going into Sunday’s game. Up to this point, Okamoto’s first season in the majors has been a roller coaster for a team that’s looking for more sustained success.

“The six-time NPB all-star in Japan started his North American baseball life with a six-game hit streak that included two home runs,” Mike Wilner noted for the Toronto Star. “Over his next dozen games, Okamoto hit just .133. After that he batted a scorching .375 with three homers over seven games, followed by a 2-for-17 skid, then five home runs in five games to kick off a 10-game hit streak during which he batted .333.”

Toronto Blue Jays Skipper Sends Kazuma Okamoto Message As Concerns Mount

As the third baseman’s adjustment to the major leagues continues in the first season of his four-year, $60 million contract, manager John Schneider sent an encouraging message after he logged a hit on Sunday.

“I thought he took better swings today,” Schneider said. “Really just missed the first-pitch curveball (on a fourth-inning fly out) and hit the double to right-center. Just trying to stay closed a little bit more and allow him to use that opposite-field power.”

Schneider alluded to the ongoing adjustments the team is making with Okamoto as he attempts to replace Bichette in a struggling batting order. The team’s hitting coaches recently had him raise his hands in his stance, for instance.

“I’m not exactly sure if that’s the direct result, the double,” Okamoto said of the hit that broke his concerning drought at the plate, through a translator, per Wilner. “Just finding what’s best for me and getting comfortable with it. Just trying to find something that works.”

As Okamoto grows more comfortable with his new team, the Blue Jays are hoping he can help fans forget about Bichette by contributing to another deep playoff run this year.