Report: Blue Jays scouts attended 2025 Japan Series to watch Kazuma Okamoto
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2025, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 16, 2025, 11:34 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly been scouting Kazuma Okamoto.
On Saturday, the Japanese National team took on South Korea in the 2025 Japan Series. In a Yahoo Japan article, the Blue Jays were listed as one of six teams scouting the game, joining the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Okamoto, 29, is one of several Japanese players set to be posted this off-season, joining Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai as the three big ones.
His 2025 season with the Yomiuri Giants was hampered due to injury, but when healthy, he slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs in 293 plate appearances for a 210 wRC+. Okamoto had a strong 2024 season, slashing .280/.362/.501 with 27 home runs, but his 2023 season with the Giants remains his crown jewel. That season saw him slash .278/.374/.584 with 41 home runs in 589 plate appearances for a 179 wRC+.
Like Murakami, Okamoto is a corner infielder who is expected to move to first base full-time in the future. That’s where the similarities end, though. Okamoto is three years older than Murakami, but also has a significantly better hit tool, while not having nearly as much power as the 26-year-old.
In late October, it was reported that Okamoto was set to be posted, but it’s unclear if he has officially been posted. Once he is, Major League Baseball teams will have 45 days to come to an agreement with the right-handed batter, or else he’ll return to Japan for the 2026 season.
As for a fit on the Blue Jays, if he’s destined to play first base full-time, there isn’t much of a fit there, given the Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. under contract for the next 14 seasons. That said, Okamoto seems to be a slightly better fielder at third base compared to Murakami and has experience playing left field, playing 98 innings there in 2024.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Blue Jays pursue Okamoto. They have other options as well, such as pursuing Kyle Tucker or re-signing Bo Bichette.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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