How Good Is Kazuma Okamoto on the Blue Jays?

One of the Toronto Blue Jays’ marquee free-agent signings in the 2025-26 offseason, Kazuma Okamoto was expected to be one of Toronto’s best hitters. 

Okamoto didn’t arrive as one of the baseball betting favourites for AL MVP at the BetMGM online sportsbook, but he had sufficient pedigree to suggest he could be a very productive big-league hitter.

Is Kazuma Okamoto Good?

The verdict is still out. Okamoto has a .711 OPS in the majors and ranks in the 57th percentile in xwOBA. He’s hit 11 home runs, but he’s in just the 9th percentile in whiff rate and the 6th percentile in strikeout rate. 

Overall, he’s been below league average offensively (95 OPS+) and has recorded one out above average. He’s been worth 0.7 bWAR in 200 big-league plate appearances. 

A 15% barrel rate and a very high hard-hit rate are encouraging for Okamoto’s power going forward, though he’s really struggled against breaking pitches. 

Okamoto’s numbers in Japan were excellent. Across 11 seasons, he had an .882 OPS and consistently hit for power, with seven consecutive seasons of 27 or more home runs.

How Much is Okamoto Getting Paid?

Okamoto is in the first year of a four-year, $60 million contract with the Blue Jays.

The third baseman is being paid $15 million per year, which places him just outside the top 10 in salary at the position for the 2026 season.  

Is Okamoto a Good Defender?

Playing third base, Okamoto was considered a very good defender in Japan, where he won several of the NPB’s equivalent of the Gold Glove. He’s even better at first base, but that spot is occupied by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the foreseeable future.

Despite a lack of speed and a relatively weak arm, Okamoto has graded well defensively at third base so far. 

Does Okamoto Speak Spanish?

Yes, Okamoto picked up some Spanish during his time playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League.This has helped to build relationships with Spanish-speaking teammates, including Guerrero Jr.