“It’s been a while since we’ve seen a rookie debut with the Dodgers.”
This year, three Japanese players are making their Major League Baseball (MLB) debuts: Munetaka Murakami (26, Chicago White Sox), Kazuma Okamoto (30, Toronto Blue Jays), and Tetsuya Imai (28, Houston Astros). The Athletic highlighted these players on February 9.
Two power-hitting third basemen are entering MLB after a long drought. Murakami inked a two-year, $34 million deal, while Okamoto secured a four-year, $60 million contract. Murakami, who debuted with the Yakult Swallows in 2018, has blasted 246 home runs in Japanese pro baseball, including a record-setting 56 in 2022. Okamoto, who started with the Yomiuri Giants in 2015, has 248 career homers in Japan.
Scouts give Murakami a slight edge in power, while Okamoto has a marginal advantage in contact skills. Neither is known for stellar defense. Murakami might see time as a DH, while Okamoto is expected to start at third base.
The Athletic noted, “While Murakami boasted Japan’s top power, strikeouts were a concern even there. Spring training and the WBC will offer clues about whether he can make enough contact to replicate his Japanese success in the U.S.”
Regarding Okamoto, The Athletic commented, “Will Okamoto’s defense impact the team’s overall fielding? His hitting tools and patient approach suggest less risk than Murakami, but with less power. The biggest question mark is his third base defense.”
They added, “Toronto was last season’s top defensive team. Some scouts believe Okamoto is below average at the hot corner. His quickness at third will be under scrutiny. It’ll be interesting to see who plays third for Japan’s WBC team between Murakami and Okamoto.”
However, MLB.com projects Okamoto as the top rookie this season with a 2.5 WAR. They predict, “While not overly optimistic, he should hit 22 homers with a .769 OPS. His 112 adjusted runs created would rank fourth on the Blue Jays. Expect a solid debut season.”
Unlike Murakami and Okamoto, Imai opted out of the WBC. Dubbed “the next Yamamoto” in Japan, Imai debuted with the Seibu Lions in 2017, posting a 58-45 record with a 3.15 ERA over 159 games. He’s notched 10 wins in each of the last three seasons.
The Athletic noted, “Houston softened the blow of losing Framber Valdez (Detroit Tigers) to free agency. Imai dominated last year with a 1.92 ERA. He features a low-90s fastball, sweeper, and a changeup, splitter, and curve for lefties.”
Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal, but the bidding war was surprisingly tepid. The Athletic observed, “The market wasn’t as hot as expected. There are concerns about his ability to face MLB hitters. With him skipping the WBC, we’ll have to wait and see how his story unfolds.”
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