On Saturday, the Japanese Nationwide workforce took on South Korea within the 2025 Japan Sequence. In a Yahoo Japan article, the Blue Jays had been listed as certainly one of six groups scouting the sport, becoming a member of the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Okamoto, 29, is certainly one of a number of Japanese gamers set to be posted this low season, becoming a member of Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai because the three large ones.
His 2025 season with the Yomiuri Giants was hampered attributable to harm, however when wholesome, he slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 house runs in 293 plate appearances for a 210 wRC+. Okamoto had a robust 2024 season, slashing .280/.362/.501 with 27 house runs, however his 2023 season with the Giants stays his crown jewel. That season noticed him slash .278/.374/.584 with 41 house runs in 589 plate appearances for a 179 wRC+.
Like Murakami, Okamoto is a nook infielder who is predicted to maneuver to first base full-time sooner or later. That’s the place the similarities finish, although. Okamoto is three years older than Murakami, but additionally has a considerably higher hit device, without having practically as a lot energy because the 26-year-old.
In late October, it was reported that Okamoto was set to be posted, nevertheless it’s unclear if he has formally been posted. As soon as he’s, Main League Baseball groups could have 45 days to return to an settlement with the right-handed batter, or else he’ll return to Japan for the 2026 season.
As for a match on the Blue Jays, if he’s destined to play first base full-time, there isn’t a lot of a match there, given the Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. below contract for the following 14 seasons. That mentioned, Okamoto appears to be a barely higher fielder at third base in comparison with Murakami and has expertise enjoying left area, enjoying 98 innings there in 2024.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if the Blue Jays pursue Okamoto. They produce other choices as effectively, resembling pursuing Kyle Tucker or re-signing Bo Bichette.
