Kazuma Okamoto is off to a strong start with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s exactly what they would’ve wanted to see when they signed him to a four-year, $60 million contract from Japan. And given that he’s essentially replacing Bo Bichette, it’s even more important.

Bichette left for the New York Mets in free agency and is actually playing third base there despite having never played it before in MLB.

Okamoto was the one new infielder for the Blue Jays this season, also playing third base as Ernie Clement moved to second and Andres Gimenez moved to shortstop (with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, of course).

So far, so good for Okamoto, who hit his first MLB home run on an impressive blast the other way to deep right-center in the Rogers Centre.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield is a believer, too, writing in a new article on Monday that replacing Bichette with Okamoto seems likely to work out just fine.

“Okamoto looks as if he’s going to fit in nicely in the middle of the Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup, going 4-for-12 with a home run and two walks in a three-game sweep of the Athletics,” Schoenfield writes. “He has shown the ability to shorten his swing with two strikes and hit to the opposite field — such as his single to right on Friday that started the game-winning rally — and to exhibit plus power, with his 420-foot, 110 mph home run on Sunday. Bo Bichette hit .311/.357/.483 for Toronto last season, and Okamoto should come close to replacing that offense, maybe with a lower average but more walks and power to make up the difference.”

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Okamoto also has a huge fanbase rooting him on in hopes that he can perform well in Toronto. The Blue Jays haven’t had a major Japanese star like this before, and it comes with plenty of attention.

As long as Okamoto plays well, though, it’ll only increase the vibes. He signed for less than half the money the Mets got Bichette for, and if he can replace him well, Toronto will be in great shape.

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