Kazuma Okamoto
| Kazuma Okamoto | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Okamoto with the Yomiuri Giants | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Infielder | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: June 30, 1996 Gojō, Nara, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NPB debut | |||||||||||||||||||||
| August 28, 2015, for the Yomiuri Giants | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NPB statistics (through 2025 season) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .277 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home runs | 248 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 717 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Kazuma Okamoto (岡本 和真, Okamoto Kazuma; born June 30, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants from 2015 until moving to North America in 2026.
Professional career
Yomiuri Giants
Okamoto made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut with the Yomiuri Giants in 2015. He was selected as an NPB all-star six times, and was named the Central League Climax Series MVP in 2019. In 2020, he led the Central League in home runs and runs batted in (RBI).[1]
His nickname, "The Young General", was given to him and was adapted from his former manager, Tatsunori Hara.
During the 2025 Nippon Professional Baseball season, Okamoto only played 69 games and hit 15 home runs, missing half the games after an elbow injury from colliding with another player.[2] Before that, from 2018-2024, he had consistently hit 25 homers or more. Okamoto has also led his league in home runs in three seasons.[2]
Toronto Blue Jays
During the 2025-26 offseason, the Giants posted Okamoto to Major League Baseball.[3] On January 4, 2026, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract.[4] During his introductory press conference, Okamoto said that in addition to Toronto being title contenders as a reason for signing, he had asked his daughter to choose her favourite logo from among all the MLB teams and she had picked out the Jays logo.[2]
International career
Okamoto is also a member of the Japan national baseball team, and has participated in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series[5] and the 2019 exhibition games against Mexico.[6]
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Okamoto was a key part of Japan's championship win, scoring two runs and hitting a solo home run in the final against the Americans.[2]
Personal life
Okamoto has a daughter.[2]
References
- ^ "Blue Jays officially announce Okamoto signing, DFA Schultz". Sportsnet. January 4, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Carter, Adam (January 6, 2026). "Kazuma Okamoto 'very happy' to join Blue Jays team with sights set on World Series title". CBC News. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Harrigan, Thomas (November 20, 2025). "Kazuma Okamoto to be posted for MLB teams". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ^ "Sources: Blue Jays, Japanese 3B Kazuma Okamoto reach $60M deal". ESPN.com website Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ "「2018日米野球」に出場する侍ジャパントップチーム選手全28名が決定". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
- ^ "ENEOS 侍ジャパンシリーズ2019「日本 vs メキシコ」に出場するメンバー28名が決定". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- NPB.com