Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto becomes fifth Japanese-born player to reach significant home run milestone

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto becomes fifth Japanese-born player to reach significant home run milestone

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 12:21 AM ET

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto has now become the fifth Japanese-born player to record 30 home runs in an MLB season. The third baseman joins elite company with Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki and Munetaka Murakami, who have all accomplished the feat. He also ties Murakami for the most home runs by American League (AL) rookies in 2026.

The 30-year-old's 30th home run came against the Athletics on Tuesday, hitting back-to-back home runs with teammate Josh Smith in the second inning against right-handed starting pitcher Jack Perkins.

Okamoto has already made franchise history as a rookie by surpassing Eric Hinske's Blue Jays rookie record of 24 home runs back on Aug. 18, by hitting his 25th home run against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Japanese slugger leads all Blue Jays hitters this season in home runs and has been an elite run producer helping to carry the load of the team's offense, as he also leads the team in RBI with 83.

Kazuma Okamoto becomes the fifth Japanese-born player to reach 30 homers in a season!

Okamoto joins Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki and Munetaka Murakami pic.twitter.com/cKLRYLY3r8
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 9, 2026

Kazuma Okamoto joins 30-homer club continuing his quest for dominance

In the Blue Jays' 6-5 loss to the Athletics on Monday, Okamoto committed a pair errors in the same play, though he ultimately made up for it by crushing a solo shot (his 29th home run of the season) to left field. His home run helped ignite a rally, and while the Blue Jays ended up in the loss column, Okamoto has continued to help spark the offense.

The "Big Oak" has surpassed expectations this season and has proved to be a tremendous offseason signing for the Blue Jays. Okamoto, who owns a barrel rate of 13.4% that sits in the 88th percentile, hit 30-plus home runs in six straight Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) seasons from 2018 to 2023, and he's continued his home run dominance in his debut MLB season.

According to OptaSTATS, three rookies have reached the 30-home run mark in the same season for the first time in MLB history. The list includes Okamoto, Murakami and National League's Rookie of the Year favorite Sal Stewart.

Okamoto also joins players like CJ Abrams, Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas in the 30-homer club. Both Chicago White Sox sluggers hit their 30th home runs on Sept. 4, becoming the first White Sox offensive duo to reach the milestone in the same game in franchise history.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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