Kazuma Okamoto is quickly making his mark with the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training, showcasing his skills both at the plate and in the field. The third baseman has already dispelled any concerns about his defense with a couple of standout plays at the hot corner. But it was his towering home run against Clay Holmes and the New York Mets on February 23 that truly turned heads.
That blast to straightaway center field wasn't just impressive visually-it was a statement of power. Let's dive into the numbers to see why this home run was so remarkable.
Okamoto's first homer for the Blue Jays was a 431-foot rocket off a sweeper from Holmes. According to Baseball Savant, Holmes had surrendered just one home run on that pitch throughout the 2025 season, highlighting the rarity of Okamoto's feat. The pitch was expertly located, crossing the plate 1.9 feet off the ground and 0.6 feet from the center-prime territory for a pitcher aiming to keep hitters off balance.
Such a pitch, low and away, is a pitcher's dream. Yet, only five right-handed batters have managed to hit a home run off a right-hander throwing a pitch in that exact location since the statcast era began. Joining the elite company of Javier Báez, Yoenis Céspedes, Brent Rooker, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Adam Duvall, Okamoto's achievement is even more impressive given his recent transition to MLB.
Starting his career with the Yomiuri Giants at just 19, Okamoto has become one of the premier slugging talents from the Pacific Rim. Over 11 years, he launched 248 home runs with a .277/.361/.521 slash line and an .882 OPS, amassing 1,089 hits in 1,074 games. Six times, he surpassed the 30-home run mark.
At 29, Okamoto is off to a promising start, and Blue Jays fans have plenty to be excited about. With the World Baseball Classic on the horizon, he'll have another stage to showcase his talents as he suits up for Team Japan. If this is just the beginning, the Blue Jays may have found a powerful new asset in their lineup.