Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto is still learning in first taste of MLB lifestyle

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A cold stretch at the plate, however, is nothing new for the 29-year-old. “To be honest, I want to, obviously, hit more,” Okamoto said through team interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “But over the long course of the season, I know there are going to be ups and downs. That’s no different from when I was playing in Japan. I think it’s just a little lull right now. Hopefully I get it going soon.” In his first 15 MLB games, Okamoto hit .224 with an 87 wRC+. It’s been just a few weeks, and there’s plenty of time left for Okamoto to flourish, but both marks are below the MLB average and preseason projections for Toronto’s $60 million signing. Okamoto is seemingly dealing with the adjustment period Blue Jays coaches and executives expected for the Japanese star when he arrived in MLB. Ahead of the Jays’ contest against the Brewers on Wednesday, Okamoto discussed those adjustments, how he’s adapting to the MLB lifestyle and more. The third baseman was asked what he thought about Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai saying he has not been able to adjust to “the American lifestyle.” Toronto’s third baseman described his initial big-league experience in different terms. “For me, personally, I’m looking forward to each and every day,” Okamoto said through his interpreter. “That’s why I came over here.” Toronto, Okamoto said, reminds him of Tokyo. He looks out his window when the Jays are at home and wonders if he’s back in Japan. The former Nippon Professional Baseball star has particularly enjoyed trying different cuisines, too, with sandwiches and quesadillas being his favourites, so far. Despite his relatively cold start at the plate, Okamoto chuckled at times when discussing his first 15 MLB games. Still, he and the Jays expect better results. “I just have to make adjustments,” Okamoto said. The pitching he’s facing is noticeably different than what he saw in NPB, Okamoto said. The average big-league fastball is around 4 mph faster and pitches often move more, Okamoto explained. A few weeks into his time with the Jays, though, the third baseman is beginning to get a good idea how opposing pitchers are attacking him. Okamoto has largely flourished against fastballs, notching 10 of his 13 hits off four-seamers, sinkers and cutters. His struggles have come against breaking and off-speed offerings, against which he is hitting .188 and .000, respectively. On defence, Okamoto has graded out as a well-below-average third baseman in Outs Above Average. He and the Jays continue to work before games to achieve more success at the hot corner. On Wednesday, four Toronto coaches gathered at first base as Okamoto worked on scoops, stepping into a lunge over and over. Okamoto is adjusting to playing deeper at third base and communicating with teammates who don’t speak the same first language. In Tuesday’s win over the Brewers, Okamoto ranged to his left and deflected a ball that shortstop Andrés Giménez appeared prepared to catch. The third baseman seemed to apologize to the shortstop after the game. Giménez said Wednesday afternoon it’s been fun playing alongside Okamoto, as they work through communication together. “We’re working on it. We’re working on it,” Giménez said. “We’re trying to find the right communication.” Okamoto began his big-league career with four hits in his first three contests. For a brief weekend, it seemed as if he’d adjusted instantly. But struggles were to be expected. The Jays signed the third baseman for four years, not four weeks. With Okamoto seemingly set as the team’s everyday third baseman, the Jays and Okamoto hope the tweaks start to click soon. “Being in the lineup,” Okamoto said, “I feel responsible. I want to contribute to this team and be able to hit.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Mitch Bannon is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Toronto Blue Jays. Before joining The Athletic, he covered the Blue Jays for SI.com and wrote for MLB.com in a freelance capacity. He is a graduate of McGill University and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Follow Mitch on Twitter @MitchBannon