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Powerful Japanese Star Kazuma Okamoto Earns Spot on 2026 MLB All-Rookie Team
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- Powerful Japanese Star Kazuma Okamoto Earns Spot on 2026 MLB All-Rookie Team
The Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto finished his first Major League Baseball season with 33 home runs and 92 RBIs while posting a .232 batting average, .310 on-base percentage, and .452 slugging percentage.
Baseball America, the leading authority on the sport's up-and-coming stars, named the third baseman to its 2026 MLB All-Rookie Team, an honor the Blue Jays shared on social media.
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The 30-year-old Japanese star arrived in Toronto on a four-year, $60 million contract after 11 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. He hit 248 home runs in Japan and made six All-Star teams.
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Okamoto hit at least seven home runs and drove in at least 20 runs in both May and June, earning American League Rookie of the Month honors for June. He broke the franchise rookie home run record in August and later passed Seiya Suzuki's mark of 32 home runs by a Japanese right-handed hitter in a single season.
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The Blue Jays opened their post with a congratulatory message in Japanese and referred to Okamoto by his nickname, "The Big Oak."
He also posted a 2.5 WAR, along with 26 doubles and 81 runs scored. Okamoto led Toronto in home runs and RBIs.
Unfortunately, the Blue Jays still missed the postseason one year after reaching Game 7 of the World Series, and they were eliminated from contention on September 23. Okamoto still has three years left on his contract, giving Toronto a chance to bounce back into the postseason in 2027 with a proven power bat in the lineup.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
