*This content was translated by AI.
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Okamoto Kazuma (30) has written a new page in Japanese hitter history from his first year in Major League Baseball (MLB). He surpassed the record for most home runs in a rookie season, previously held by 'Superstar' Shohei Ohtani (32, Los Angeles Dodgers).
On the 25th (Korean time), Okamoto started at third base and batted third in an away game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. He delivered a powerful performance with two hits in five at-bats and three RBIs, including his 23rd home run of the season.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the score 0-4 and one out with runners on first and second, Okamoto stepped up to the plate. He immediately connected with the first pitch—a sinker thrown by reliever Greg Weissert clocked at 96.3 mph (155 km/h)—sending it soaring over the center field fence. The hit traveled 408 feet (approximately 124.3 meters) and was recorded at a speed of 100.9 mph (approximately 162 km/h).
With this home run, Okamoto set a new MLB record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born rookie in a single season. The previous record was 22, set by Ohtani while playing for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
Ahead of this season, Okamoto stepped down from his role as the 'number three hitter' for the Yomiuri Giants and signed a major four-year, $60 million (approximately 87.9 billion won) contract with Toronto. This achievement marks not only a smooth transition to the big leagues but also a complete validation of his value. According to Yahoo Sports, while Ohtani hit 22 home runs in just 367 at-bats at age 23 during the 2018 season, Okamoto reached his 23rd home run in 411 at-bats at age 30.
In Toronto's lineup, which has struggled this season despite being the American League (AL) 'defending champion,' Okamoto's presence is absolutely crucial. After playing 101 games, he currently holds a batting average of .227 (83 hits in 366 at-bats) and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.759. While these surface-level statistics are not particularly flashy, he continues to fight hard by providing the team's most reliable power hit.
However, it may take more time before the record holder is officially confirmed. This is because Munetaka Murakami (26), another Japanese hitter for the Chicago White Sox, is closing in with fierce momentum.
Murakami, who challenged the big leagues this season alongside Okamoto, was on pace to break Ohtani's record first before landing on the injured list (IL) due to a hamstring injury in May. Since returning from his recent injury, Murakami has posted a season batting average of .231 and an OPS of 0.897, already hitting 20 home runs.
With Okamoto securing the throne ahead of Ohtani, the battle for the 'MLB Japanese Rookie Home Run King' title against Murakami, who has returned from injury, is expected to intensify even further in the remaining games of the season.
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*This content was translated by AI.
