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Blue Jays 2026 40-man Roster Review: Kazuma Okamoto’s floor makes him an interesting signing
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 8, 2026, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 7, 2026, 22:56 EST
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The newest Toronto Blue Jays had his introductory press conference on Tuesday.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual 40-man roster review ahead of the new season. If you missed the most recent article, we looked at Shane Bieber. In this article, we’ll look at Kazuma Okamoto.
On Jan. 3, it was reported that the Blue Jays had signed Okamoto, with the move becoming official the following day. Okamoto has spent his entire professional career with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants. It was the first time the Giants, arguably the most popular NPB team, posted a position player.
Throughout his NPB career that spanned from 2015 until 2025, Okamoto has been one of the best hitters in the league, slashing .277/.361/.521 with 248 home runs in 4,494 plate appearances. Okamoto’s best season came in 2023, when he slashed .278/.374/.584 with 41 home runs in 589 plate appearances, giving him a 180 wRC+.
When healthy in 2025, Okamoto was incredibly productive, slashing .327/.416/.598 with an 11.3 BB% and K%. Unfortunately, he only had 293 plate appearances as he suffered an elbow injury, but managed to hit 15 home runs in that span.
He and Munetaka Murakami were the best position players posted from Japan this season. While Murakami has far more power (Fangraphs ranked it as an 80-grade), Okamoto is a more balanced hitter, as he’s given a 50-grade hit tool and 55-grade power, according to Fangraphs
On Tuesday afternoon, Okamoto had his introductory press conference. In that presser, Okamoto noted he’s open to playing different positions. He’s experienced in both corner infield positions, but fits best at third base for the Blue Jays because of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Okamoto also plays some left field.
So what’s Okamoto’s best role? Depending on the source, he’s below average (Fangraphs) to average at third base, and a good defender at first base. A right-handed batter, it seems plausible that Okamoto and Addison Barger at least start the season in a platoon role, especially if the Blue Jays do end up getting an outfielder like Kyle Tucker.
An added benefit to acquiring Okamoto is that the Blue Jays now have a backup first baseman. Guerrero Jr. has been incredibly durable throughout his career. That said, he played 24 games as the team’s designated hitter and needed 311.3 innings covered at the position. At the deadline, the Jays had to trade for Ty France. Okamoto will cover most, if not all, of the non-Guerrero Jr. innings at first base in 2026.
There are questions on how Okamoto’s bat will translate in his first season in North America, but if Fangraphs’ Steamer is to be believed, Okamoto will have a strong season. It projects the 29-year-old will slashed .251/.323/.446 with 22 home runs in 516 plate appearances, with an 8.8 BB% and 16.9 K% for a 113 wRC+.
If the Jays were able to get that type of production, expect Okamoto to be in the lineup often.
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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