The Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball are likely to post infielder Kazuma Okamoto to the MLB this offseason, according to a report from Yahoo Japan. Okamoto, 29, will be the first player ever posted by the Giants if he is listed. This season in NPB, Okamoto slashed 327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs in 69 games.
Report: Yomiuri Giants to Post Infielder Kazuma Okamoto
The Yomiuri Giants will likely agree to post 1B/3B Kazuma Okamoto to MLB this offseason.
Okamoto, 29, would be the 1st position player ever posted by Yomiuri.
This season, he slashed .327/.416/.598 (212 OPS+) with 15 HR in 69 games.
— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) October 13, 2025
The right-handed slugger possesses exceptional pull-side power, which has become one of his defining traits during his time with the Yomiuri Giants. Okamoto’s compact swing and quick hands allow him to generate tremendous bat speed, resulting in consistent hard contact to left field — a skill that should translate well to MLB ballparks with shorter porches or favorable dimensions for right-handed hitters, like Fenway Park or Daikin Park. His ability to turn on inside pitches and drive them with authority makes him a legitimate home run threat, especially against high-velocity pitching, which is usually uncommon from NPB players due to the drop in average velocity between leagues.
Over the past few seasons, his offensive consistency and ability to hit for both average and power have drawn the attention of several MLB organizations. Among the teams that have scouted him closely are the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles, each recognizing his potential to be an immediate contributor at the major-league level. With his advanced approach at the plate, strong plate discipline, and proven track record in NPB, Okamoto has emerged as one of the most intriguing international position players expected to make the jump to MLB this offseason.
Bauer was batting practice in NPB this year, but this is a good example of Okamoto’s pull power. Most teams try to challenge him low and away, trying to force him to roll over on pitches. He does have a tendency to roll over on off-speed down/away so that will be a point of… pic.twitter.com/9KWTSG0vGN
— Yankeesource (@YankeeSource) October 13, 2025
A Versatile Defender
In addition to Okamoto’s hitting skills, he has been one of the best defenders in Japan over the past few seasons, making him that much more coveted by teams looking for a good defender to platoon at first and third base, giving teams defensive versatility, with a promising bat. Okamoto has shown strong instincts, quick reactions, and a powerful arm across the diamond.
According to YankeeSource on X, an NPB scout describes Okamoto as follows: “He’s a lot like a Hideki Matsui-lite from the right side.” “Good approach, enough power to be an 18-25 HR threat. Doesn’t always sell out for power and knows when to turn on a pitch and hit it out.”
Main Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The post Slugging Japanese Infielder Expected to be Posted by Yomiuri Giants appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.