In recent weeks, the Philadelphia Phillies have been eyeing Japanese baseball talent as significant prospects emerge from Nippon Professional Baseball. One of the most talked-about names is Munetaka Murakami, a left-handed slugger with an impressive track record, but he won’t be the only talent making waves this offseason.
Adding to the excitement, the Yomiuri Giants have confirmed they will be posting Kazuma Okamoto, a standout corner infielder known for his formidable abilities at the plate. At 29 years old, Okamoto has spent 11 seasons with the Giants, showcasing a career batting line of .277/.361/.521 and smashing 248 home runs in 1,074 NPB games. He has led the league in home runs for three seasons and achieved a remarkable 41 homers in the 2023 season alone.
His skills were also on display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he posted a .333 average and a staggering 1.278 OPS in just seven games, including delivering two home runs in the championship match against Team USA.
Although his 2025 season was impacted by an elbow injury, limiting him to 77 games, Okamoto showed resilience at the plate with a .322 average and .992 OPS, hitting 15 home runs. Defensively, he has a wealth of experience, playing over 600 games at third base, and winning Gold Gloves for both third and first base in recent years. This versatility, though, has led to some uncertainty about where he would best fit within a major league team.
While Okamoto may not possess the same raw power as Murakami, he makes up for it with superior contact skills, maintaining a contact rate exceeding 70% for eight consecutive years and exhibiting a selective approach at the plate. This may position Okamoto as a more well-rounded hitter compared to Murakami, who is projected to shine as a power hitter in the majors.
Jim Bowden from The Athletic estimates that Okamoto could command a four-year contract worth around $90 million, which, while less than Murakami’s projected six-year, $190 million deal, reflects the fact that the two players are at different career stages. For context, Seiya Suzuki, who made the jump from Japan to the majors at age 27, signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the Cubs in 2022.
For the Phillies, acquiring Okamoto would likely mean parting ways with Alec Bohm, but there are indications that Okamoto might adapt better defensively at third base, possibly preventing them from needing further adjustments to their roster. While top prospect Aidan Miller could find his path to the majors more challenging, it presents opportunities that could be navigated through strategic trades.
The Phillies have actively sought to break into the Asian talent market, despite past challenges. Though they were outbid for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and faced disappointment with prospect Yuma Masaki, who opted to join the Seibu Lions, their commitment to finding international talent underscores their dedication to strengthening the team.
As discussions unfold regarding whether the Phillies should pursue Kazuma Okamoto or continue their focus on Murakami, one thing is clear: the influx of talent from Japan presents exciting opportunities for the franchise and its pursuit of excellence in Major League Baseball.