Kazuma Okamoto

Okamoto has been a consistent power bat at the NPB level ever since his debut in 2018, hitting between 27 and 41 homers in each of his first seven seasons in the league. He only homered 15 times last year, but that was due to an elbow sprain which limited him to 69 games. That's a shame, because he was having his best year yet, setting career highs in all three elements of his .327/.416/.598 slash line and a career low in K% (11.3%, which equaled his BB%). It's a much more well-rounded bat than that of fellow new arrival Munetaka Murakami, even if it doesn't come with the same eye-catching exit velocities. Okamoto primarily played third base in Japan but has also played first base and left field, and he may be due for a step down the defensive spectrum as he heads into his age-30 season. That would put more pressure on his bat, but his combination of contact and power is reminiscent of Seiya Suzuki's last few NPB seasons, giving reason to believe Okamoto will be able to earn a full-time role. Read Past Outlooks