Kazuma Okamoto sets Blue Jays rookie home-run record with 25th blast
The 30-year-old Japanese-born outfielder broke Eric Hinske's 24-year-old franchise record Tuesday night in Tampa Bay, surpassing Shohei Ohtani's Japanese-rookie mark.
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Kazuma Okamoto set a franchise record Tuesday night when he hit his 25th home run of the season, breaking the Toronto Blue Jays' rookie mark of 24, set by Eric Hinske in 2002.
The solo shot to left-centre off Tampa Bay Rays reliever Steven Matz came in the fifth inning and gave the Blue Jays a 7-3 lead. Okamoto, 30, was signed by the Jays last off-season after playing for Japan's Yomiuri Giants from 2015 to 2025.
He has already broken Shohei Ohtani's record of 18 home runs for most by a Japanese-born rookie in MLB history. However, he's in a race with Chicago White Sox star Munetaka Murakami—who had 28 home runs entering Tuesday's action—to finish the season with the highest mark among Japanese-born players.
The all-time rookie record of 53 home runs belongs to Pete Alonso, who set it in 2019. HighOnCity reported in July that Okamoto hit his first career grand slam earlier this season.
The facts
Who held the Blue Jays rookie home-run record before Kazuma Okamoto?
Eric Hinske set the Toronto Blue Jays' rookie home-run record with 24 home runs in 2002.
How many home runs did Kazuma Okamoto hit to break the Blue Jays record?
Kazuma Okamoto hit 25 home runs to break the Blue Jays' rookie record on August 19, 2026.
What was Okamoto's home run before joining the Blue Jays?
Kazuma Okamoto played for Japan's Yomiuri Giants from 2015 to 2025 before being signed by the Blue Jays last off-season.
