International Impact: How Murakami, Okamoto & Imai could Shape Fantasy Baseball in 2026

As the 2026 MLB season approaches, fantasy baseball managers are eyeing a group of elite players making the leap from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Korea’s KBO League. These international imports spanning power hitters to deceptive arms could quickly become impactful fantasy assets.

New Faces to Know

Munetaka Murakami — 3B/1B, Chicago White Sox

Munetaka Murakami arrives in MLB with a reputation as one of Japan’s most prodigious power hitters. The 26-year-old slugger dominated the NPB, including a Triple Crown season in 2022, and has averaged impressive home run totals since. 

• Strengths: Elite power potential with double-digit steals, adding category value in multiple fantasy formats. 
• Concerns: His high strikeout rate hovering near 30%, suggests batting average risk and lineup instability if he doesn’t start hitting MLB pitching consistently. 
• Fantasy Profile: A high-risk, high-reward option perfect for deeper leagues or managers who chase power upside. 

Kazuma Okamoto — 3B/1B, Toronto Blue Jays

Kazuma Okamoto brings a contrasting skill set to Murakami: consistent contact and solid defense. While not quite as explosive in power, he’s shown a knack for driving the ball frequently in Japan. 

• Strengths: Better strike zone discipline and lower strikeout rates than many international peers, an asset in batting-average-based formats. 
• Defensive Value: Likely to spend quality time at third base, boosting his everyday value. 
• Fantasy Profile: More of a safe middle-tier bat with balanced contributions across standard categories. 

Tatsuya Imai — SP, Houston Astros

Among pitchers making the overseas jump, Tatsuya Imai stands out as the most relevant for standard fantasy formats. A sidearm right-hander with a deceptive delivery, he mixes a mid-to-high 90s fastball with a sharp slider and solid changeup. 

• Strengths: Strong strikeout profiles and unusual mechanics that could translate well against unfamiliar MLB batters. 
• Workload: Projected to anchor a middle rotation spot with chances for consistent innings and K totals. 
• Fantasy Profile: An intriguing mid-round pitching target, especially in leagues that value strikeouts and innings pitched. 

Additional Overseas Names to Watch

Not all prospects from Japan and Korea will be front-page news, but some players are worth stashing or late-draft consideration: 

• Sung-Mun Song (3B/1B), San Diego Padres: A dynamic KBO bat with speed and power upside, likely more useful in deeper mixed formats. 
• Anthony Kay (SP), Chicago White Sox: A lefty who impressed overseas and could see meaningful rotation innings. 
• Ryan Weiss (SP), Houston Astros: After a breakout stint in Korea, currently projected in a swingman or bullpen role with upside in strikeouts. 

Translating International Performance to MLB

Experts caution that statistical production in NPB and KBO doesn’t always linearly translate to MLB success, especially for batters, given differences in pitch velocity and scouting sophistication. Teams increasingly use technology to help incoming players adjust, but there’s still a learning curve. 

Fantasy Draft Strategy Tips

• Balance risk and safety: Murakami’s explosive power is tempting, but Okamoto’s more consistent profile might pay off earlier in drafts. 
• Target Imai in the right format: In strikeout-friendly leagues, Imai could pay dividends as a mid-round pitcher pick. 
• Stash deeper targets: Utility players and borderline starters from overseas could become valuable later in the season. 

Source: ESPN

Image credit wikimedia commons