TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 29: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs to the dugout after the eighth inning during their MLB game against the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays came very close to winning the 2025 World Series.
It took the Los Angeles Dodgers seven games to defeat the Blue Jays in a classic World Series matchup.
This year, the Blue Jays are determined to make up that one game, and bring a Championship to Canada.
One of the players the Blue Jays are counting on this season is former Japanese star, Kazuma Okamoto.
Okamoto, who turns 30 June 30, signed a 4-year, $60M international free agent contract, with a $5M signing bonus. There are no opt-out options in the contract.
So far, Okamoto is proving to be a great financial value for the Blue Jays.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 5: Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox and Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays look on during the ninth inning at Rate Field on April 5, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
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Three consequential Japanese players signed international free agent contracts with Major League Baseball teams this past offseason. They included pitcher Tatsuya Imai (Houston Astros) Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox) and Okamoto.
The right-handed hitting Okamoto is 6-1, 220 pounds.
Okamoto was a six-time Japanese corner infield All Star.
Okamoto has also won Japaneses fielding awards, which are similar to Major League Baseball’s Gold Glove.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is a fixture at first base for Toronto, so Okamoto has taken over at third. He’s an excellent replacement for the departed Bo Bichette.
Guerrero Jr. and Okamoto have become close teammates.
And Okamoto is playing tremendous defense at third.
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Kazuma Okamoto #25 of Team Japan hits a double in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
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Playing parts of 11 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants in the Japan Eastern League, Okamoto hit .274/.355/.501/.858, with 281 doubles, 13 triples, 277 home runs, and 1,042 RBIs in 5,709 plate appearances.
He struck out 1,042 times, while earning 580 walks.
Okamoto had six consecutive seasons with 30-plus home runs. He hit 41 in 2023.
Okamoto suffered a left elbow injury in 2025, limiting his season.
BaseballAmerica.com indicates Okamoto is known as the “Young General.”
-Power might be Okamoto’s greatest contribution to Toronto at this early point in the season.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the thir inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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In the early days of the season, Okamoto was hitting in the 7-hole in the Blue Jays lineup.
Now, pitchers have to respect Okamoto’s long-ball threat with even more attention. He is currently batting cleanup for Toronto. He is hitting right behind slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr.
So far, Okamoto has delivered some of the longest Blue Jays home runs.
When Okamoto gets loft on the ball, he can hit the ball out of any park. And, interestingly, he can go to the opposite field with his power.
Since his arrival with the Blue Jays, Okamoto has made an adjustment in his hitting mechanics. He has moved back in the batter’s box, allowing him to see the fastball and spin for just a bit longer. It has worked wonders.
-Stellar defense at third base has been a cornerstone of Okamoto’s game so far. He has made dazzling plays, coming in quickly on weakly hit balls, moving to both sides with agility and excellent range, and flashing a strong and accurate arm to first base.
-Surprising speed and excellent hustle have raised some eyebrows in Okamoto’s game.. He certainly doesn’t lumber down the first base line, and he has enough speed to take an extra bases on balls hit on a line to the outfield.
If there is any concern with Okamoto, it might be his high strikeout rate. However, moving his feet back in the batter’s box may help.
Recently, dose.ca may have put it best about Okamoto. “We’re starting to see the real Kazuma Okamoto.” They note that “In the first few weeks of the 2026 season, the Japanese slugger posted a .237 average with a .743 OPS over his first 25 games.”
yahoosports.com echo’s that comment. They said, “TheToronto Blue Jays had high hopes when they signed Kazuma Okamoto…They certainly didn’t see him to be “just another bat” in the lineup. They went on to say, “…they believed he could be a difference maker. During the first few weeks…the decision was questionable. Now things may be turning around.”
Turning around they are.
The Blue Jays have to be thrilled they have another potentially booming bat in their lineup. He may strike out a bunch, but pitchers must be careful pitching to Okamoto. He has the power to change a game with one swing of his bat.
When warmer weather arrives at Major League Baseball parks, Okamoto may have more RBI chances. More chances to score runs. And more home runs.
Hitting behind Guerrero Jr., perhaps Okamoto will have even better pitches to hit from his role as the cleanup hitter in the Blue Jays lineup.
Okamoto brings tremendous impact to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The surging Kazuma Okamoto may be a great value for the Toronto Blue Jays.
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