After years of limited activity in Asia, the White Sox appear to be changing their philosophy. David Keller, special assistant to General Manager Chris Getz, spoke with reporters in September about the organization’s pursuit to become more active in the market for Asian players. It appears they are following through on that, as Yahoo Sports Japan has reported that White Sox scouts were in attendance for a recent Japan vs. Korea exhibition game featuring star Japanese free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto at the Tokyo Dome.
Okamoto’s Player Profile
Okamoto, 29, has put together a very accomplished career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Across 11 professional seasons, he is a lifetime .277/.361/.521 hitter with six seasons of at least 30 home runs, winning the home run title on three different occasions. His 2025 season was cut short due to an elbow injury, but he hit 15 home runs in just 77 games, along with an impressive .322/.411/.581 slash line.
He rarely strikes out, controls the strike zone, and although he has had some issues against premium velocity, Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs praises his bat-to-ball skills and projects him to hit enough to be an everyday player in MLB. Notably, he hit a home run off of Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game.
That ball is GONE!
Kazuma Okamoto with a solo homer and Japan extends their lead over USA!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/65dlDyM69Z
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2023
Defensive Versatility
Okamoto is also a versatile defensive player. He has experience playing first base, third base, and left field, with first base being his strongest defensive position, according to scouts. The White Sox could use upgrades at all of those spots, making him a logical free agent target. MLB Trade Rumors projects him to get a four-year/$64 million contract, which is expensive by White Sox standards, but still potentially realistic.
Crowded Field of MLB Suitors
Given his pedigree and success in Japan, Okamoto has many suitors. Along with the White Sox, the Yankees, Phillies, Padres, Angels, and Blue Jays were all listed as having scouts watching him according to the Yahoo Japan article. With the number of interested teams and the posting fee they will have to pay to the Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto’s former team in Japan, it seems likely that he would become the most expensive free agent signing in White Sox history should it come to fruition.
Potential Turning Point For White Sox
The White Sox signing a player of Okamoto’s caliber feels like an uphill battle at this point in time. They haven’t signed a player from Japan since Tadahito Iguchi in 2005, and they will have to beat out several teams that are significantly more appealing destinations on paper to obtain Okamoto’s services. While it’s unlikely to happen, it’s an encouraging sign that the organization is at least scouting Japanese players, considering their inactivity in the region for the better part of two decades.
