(Photo credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Kazuma Okamoto, one of many high sluggers in Japan, introduced Wednesday that he’s making himself accessible to Major League Baseball golf equipment by way of the posting system.
‘I consider MLB is one of the best league on this planet, and I’ve at all times wished to play there. I’ve labored laborious with that purpose in thoughts,’ Okamoto mentioned. ‘I’m grateful to all of the staff officers and followers who revered my resolution and gave me their assist.’
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 Classic championship recreation, when he took Team USA’s Kyle Freeland deep as Japan received the WBC title.
Over his profession, Okamoto is .277/.361/.521 hitter.
Once he turns into accessible, Okamoto will be capable of negotiate with any MLB staff over a 45-day window. If a staff reaches an settlement with him, that membership would wish to pay a launch charge to Yomiuri. The charge begins at 20 % of the contract worth and will rise relying upon the value of the agreed-upon contract.
Okamoto is one season away from qualifying for unrestricted free company.
–Field Level Media