Kazuma Okamoto

Position(s): 3B/1B B/T: R/R
Age: 29 (06/30/1996)

2025 Traditional Stats: 69 G, 293 PA, .327/.416/.598/1.014, 82 H, 21 2B, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 33 BB, 33 SO
2025 Advanced Stats: 210 WRC+, 11.3% BB%, 11.3% K%, .327 BABIP, .454 wOBA

Rundown

The 29-year-old Kazuma Okamoto will become the first position player ever posted by the Yomiuri Giants. He enters free agency as a polished, veteran bat, offering a stable alternative to the more volatile Munetaka Murakami. Okamoto’s 2025 season was shortened by a collision at first base, limiting him to just 69 games, but his production when healthy was nothing short of elite. In that limited sample, he slashed .327/.416/.598 with a 1.014 OPS. His bat appears to be in its prime as he approaches his 30th birthday in June 2026.

While he lacks the ceiling-shattering raw power of Murakami, Okamoto offers a substantially higher floor built from years of consistent production. He has been a steady presence in the Giants’ lineup for nearly a decade, turning in six consecutive seasons of 30 or more home runs from his rookie year in 2018 through 2023, when he belted 41.

Unlike many sluggers prone to the swing-and-miss, Okamoto boasts outstanding bat-to-ball skills, as he posted an impressive 11.3% strikeout rate in 2025 that was matched by an identical 11.3% walk rate. He walked and struck out exactly 33 times last season. His low 26.8% chase rate further signifies a disciplined and mature approach that should translate well to MLB. This combination points to a hitter capable of delivering immediate stability with significantly less risk.

Okamoto’s ability to adjust to MLB-level velocity is a topic of debate among scouts. Per Yuri Karasawa of JapanBall, he owns a career 157 wRC+ against fastballs of 93 mph or higher, suggesting that he could adjust well to MLB heat. His power stems from a fly-ball-heavy approach (0.76 GB/FB ratio) and a strong pull tendency (47.2% Pull%), traits common among premier sluggers worldwide. While he may not carry Murakami’s extreme slugging upside, he projects as a .800-850 OPS middle-of-the-order bat.

Defensively, Okamoto offers valuable versatility, with significant experience at both corner infield positions and limited exposure in the outfield. His last time in left field came in 2024, when he logged 15 starts, though he also started 21 games there back in 2019. While he may not project as an everyday third baseman in MLB, he’s reliable at both corners and has earned NPB Golden Gloves at each. His main drawback is a lack of speed, which will more than likely make him a liability on the bases.

Contract

Because Okamoto is older and has a “safer” but lower-ceiling profile than Murakami, his contract expectations are more modest. Recent projections, including MLB Trade Rumors‘, place him at around four years and $64 million. The wider range of estimates—roughly $50 million to $80 million—reflects how hard it is to pin down the market for international free agents. That price tier should make him appealing to a broad mix of clubs, including mid-market teams. These teams, while operating with smaller budgets, could offer him a better opportunity to thrive, with more playing time and a higher spot in the lineup.

Recommendation: Worth Checking In

Okamoto represents an ideal pivot option for a Mets roster that will likely explore the markets of Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, and perhaps even Munetaka Murakami before turning to Okamoto. His skill set fits seamlessly—potentially even in the cleanup spot—and the makeup is elite. When I was in Japan this past June, Okamoto was on the IL, yet he remained an unmistakable fan favorite at the Tokyo Dome. The crowd’s overwhelming support and constant well-wishes, even in his absence, told you everything about how they view him.

If the top-tier first-base/DH market gets too pricey, Okamoto is that rare high-floor fallback who can still pop 30+ homers in a good year. (And by the way, that game I caught was absolutely electric. Trust me—keep an eye on Koki Kitayama. That kid is something special.)