3 Japanese stars who could join MLB and impact the NY Mets in 2026

A new wave of Japanese talent is looking to make the leap to MLB, and a few names could turn heads in 2026. Two corner infielders bring the kind of power that could fill a lineup hole if Alonso moves on, while a pitcher could add an arm capable of shaking up a rotation that struggled last season. Fans should keep an eye on these players, as they could bring an international spark to the Mets’ roster, from long balls at first base to strikeout-ready pitching from across the Pacific.

Munetaka Murakami

If Pete Alonso were to walk, Munetaka Murakami immediately rises to the top of the list of potential replacements. The 25-year-old Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder has already announced that 2025 will be his final NPB season, and team president Tetsuya Hayashida has said he would support a posting if Murakami wanted to leave. He has logged time at first base, and over eight seasons, Murakami has shown the kind of consistent power and plate discipline that could keep a lineup humming, offering production comparable to Alonso’s—but at a younger age with room to grow.

His 2022 season remains a blueprint for his ceiling: 56 homers, 134 RBI, and a .318 batting average. Murakami profiles as a hitter who can deliver in key spots and sustain offensive output over a full season. For a Mets lineup suddenly facing uncertainty at first base, he represents a ready-made cornerstone capable of keeping the power flowing and giving fans a younger, international spark to follow.

Kazuma Okamoto

Kazuma Okamoto has been the muscle behind the Yomiuri Giants’ offense for more than a decade, and now he’s looking to get posted this season, which could bring his right-handed power swing stateside. A career .277 hitter with serious pop, Okamoto has led NPB in home runs three times and built a reputation as one of Japan’s most dependable run producers. His 2023 season, featuring 41 homers and 93 RBI, reminded everyone that consistency can be as loud as raw strength. From 2018 through 2024, he averaged 33 homers and 27 doubles, showing the type of middle-of-the-order production that MLB teams prize.

What makes Okamoto especially intriguing for MLB teams is his complete profile. He’s not just a slugger who runs into fastballs; his two Gold Gloves and 2024 award for best defensive first baseman show he’s as steady with the glove as he is with the bat. His defense could also fit into Stearns’ potential run-prevention approach, giving the Mets an upgrade on the field as well as in the middle of the order.

Tatsuya Imai

Tatsuya Imai is looking to get posted by the Seibu Lions and make the jump to MLB, bringing a right-handed arm that could be exactly what the Mets are searching for. At 27, he just completed the best season of his eight-year NPB career, posting a 1.92 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and 178 strikeouts in 163.2 innings. His performance underlines both dominance and durability, showing he can handle a full workload while keeping hitters off balance with his mid- to high-90s fastball and a mix of slider, splitter, and changeup.

What makes Imai especially appealing for a Mets rotation plagued by injuries is his consistency. He has thrown more than 130 innings in four of the last five seasons and posted a sub-2.50 ERA in four of those campaigns. A pitcher who can eat innings while missing bats is exactly what New York has struggled to find, and Imai’s ability to maintain velocity and command deep into games could make him an immediate asset for a rotation desperate for reliability and strikeout upside.