Kazuma Okamoto is fitting in just fine with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Spring training is in full swing down at the Blue Jays’ Dunedin facility, and fans are getting their first look at one of the biggest acquisitions of the offseason. The 29-year-old Japanese slugger has impressed with Toronto over the first few days, and fans will like what he did on Monday morning.
In a game against the New York Mets, Okamoto crushed a low-and-away sweeper from Clay Holmes on a 1-2 count. It was out of the ballpark quick.
“I’m glad I got the first one out of the way,” Okamoto said after the game, according to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling. “Seeing [my teammates’] reaction, it made me want to hit more.”
The first Blue Jays homer for Kaz ‼️
岡本和真、オープン戦初ホームラン！ pic.twitter.com/3pbz2QIJRG
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 23, 2026
That ball soared an incredible 431 feet to centre field, a no-doubter as soon as it came off the bat.
There was no question that Okamoto has the power to be an elite hitter in the major leagues, and he will be expected to bring some pop to this Blue Jays lineup. He is coming off 15 HRs in 69 NPB games last year and has long been one of the best power-hitters in Japan.
Coming over to MLB, there is bound to be an adjustment for Okamoto, but so far it seems like that transition is going smoothly. He’s also making fans in the Jays’ dugout as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was liking what he saw from his new teammate.
Vladdy and Kaz 🥹 pic.twitter.com/viEbcZln0T
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 23, 2026
While big things are expected at the plate from Okamoto, he is also expected to spend the majority of his time playing third base for Toronto. If he can mix in solid defence with some stellar offence, he may become one of the Blue Jays’ most important players during the 2026 campaign.
He’ll have plenty of time to get up to big league speed before the season starts for real on March 27.
Lead photo by
Jonathan Dyer/Imagn Images