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Sep 15, 2025; Tokyo, Japan; A Japanese fan waves a flag throughout World Athletics Championships at Nationwide Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos Kazuma Okamoto, one of many prime sluggers in Japan, introduced Wednesday that he’s making himself out there to Main League Baseball golf equipment through the posting system.
“I imagine MLB is the most effective league on the earth, and I’ve all the time wished to play there. I’ve labored exhausting with that purpose in thoughts,” Okamoto stated. “I am grateful to all of the group officers and followers who revered my determination and gave me their help.”
Okamoto, 29, is a right-handed-hitting nook infielder for Japan’s Yomiuri Giants, clubbing a career-high 41 house runs in 2023 as a part of a six-season run of 30 house runs or extra.
His previous two seasons have been much less productive. Okamoto hit 27 house runs in 2024 earlier than accidents took their toll in 2025, limiting him to fifteen lengthy balls over 69 video games.
Memorably, Okamoto starred on the worldwide stage in the course of the 2023 World Baseball Traditional championship recreation, when he took Group USA’s Kyle Freeland deep as Japan received the WBC title.
Over his profession, Okamoto is .277/.361/.521 hitter.
As soon as he turns into out there, Okamoto will be capable of negotiate with any MLB group over a 45-day window. If a group reaches an settlement with him, that membership would want to pay a launch price to Yomiuri. The price begins at 20 % of the contract worth and will rise relying upon the price of the agreed-upon contract.
Okamoto is one season away from qualifying for unrestricted free company.
–Area Stage Media
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