Japanese Baseball Stars Ready to Shine in MLB
New figures in Japanese baseball are preparing to make the jump to the Major Leagues. Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and pitcher Kona Takahashi have been made available to MLB teams through the “posting” system, which allows them to negotiate and sign contracts as free agents from Friday until January 4th.
These prominent players join Munetaka Murakami, an infielder known for his batting power, whose 45-day signing deadline expires on December 22, and right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who can sign until January 2.
Kazuma Okamoto, 29 years old, had a standout season in 69 games with the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League, batting .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs. An injury to his left elbow, suffered on May 6th when colliding with Takumu Nakano of the Hanshin Tigers, kept him out of action until August 16th.
Okamoto, a six-time All-Star, boasts a .277 average, 248 home runs, and 717 RBIs in his 11 seasons in the Japanese league. He was the Central League home run leader in 2020, 2021, and 2023. His ability to hit home runs was demonstrated in the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he hit a home run against Kyle Freeland of Colorado, helping Japan defeat the United States.
Kona Takahashi, a right-handed pitcher who will turn 29 on February 3, recorded an 8-9 record with a 3.04 ERA this year with the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League, with 88 strikeouts and 41 walks in 148 innings. Previously, he had a 0-11 season with a 3.87 ERA in 2024, after accumulating a 22-16 record in the previous two seasons.
In his 11 seasons with the Lions, Takahashi has a record of 73-77 with an effectiveness of 3.39.
According to MLB’s posting agreement with the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the posting fee would be 20% of the first $25 million of a Major League contract, including bonuses and earned options. This percentage decreases to 17.5% of the next $25 million and to 15% of any amount over $50 million. In addition, there would be an additional fee of 15% of any earned bonus, salary increases, and exercised options.
