"When the Toronto Blue Jays made one of their major offseason free agent signings in getting Kazuma Okamoto, they truly expected big things from the Japanese star. After all, Okamoto had been an offensive force for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan for the past eight seasons, averaging more than 30 home runs and 90 RBIs each year during that time frame."
"It isn't just the Blue Jays that believe in his abilities as ATC rookie projections for the 2026 MLB season also recently revealed that they have high expectations of Okamoto among his rookie peers. They predict that the 29-year-old star will have a 110 wRC+ in his upcoming first season with Toronto, putting him in a tie for first place along with another Japanese free agent signee in Munetaka Murakami and Cincinnati Reds young infielder Sal Stewart."
"More notably, Okamoto was ranked ahead of the No. 2 prospect in all of MLB in Kevin McGonigle (106 wRC+) of the Detroit Tigers, the No. 8 prospect in Samuel Basallo (97 wRC+) of the Baltimore Orioles and the renowned top Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen (101 wRC+), according to MLB Pipeline. That in itself speaks volumes of Okamoto's potential whicht the Blue Jays will hope end up translating well from Japan over to North America."
Kazuma Okamoto joined the Toronto Blue Jays after eight productive NPB seasons, averaging over 30 home runs and 90 RBIs annually. ATC rookie projections for 2026 place Okamoto at a 110 wRC+, tying him with Munetaka Murakami and Sal Stewart among projected rookies. Okamoto ranked ahead of several top MLB prospects, including Kevin McGonigle, Samuel Basallo, and Carter Jensen, according to MLB Pipeline. The Blue Jays expect Okamoto to provide a major offensive boost as their primary offseason bat. At 29 years old, Okamoto faces an overseas adjustment similar to a rookie acclimating to the majors.
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