According to multiple industry sources, the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to acquire utility man Blaze Alexander from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed reliever Kade Strowd and prospects, right-hander Wellington Aracena and infielder José Mejía.
Alexander was drafted by Arizona in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of IMG Academy and made his major league debut in 2024.
Over parts of two seasons with the D-backs, the 26-year-old has slashed .237/.322/.366 with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 50 runs scored in 135 games. In 2025 specifically, Alexander posted a .230 batting average with seven homers, 28 RBIs, a .323 on-base percentage and .706 OPS in 74 games and 230 plate appearances.
His .383 slugging percentage and uptick in walks in 2025 reflect a hitter still trending upward. Baltimore hopes a fresh opportunity will push him into a more impactful role, as he can play third, shortstop, second and all three outfield positions.
In return, Arizona acquires 28-year-old reliever Kade Strowd, who began his professional journey as a 12th-round pick by Baltimore in 2019 out of West Virginia.
Strowd spent most of his first big-league season in 2025 in the O’s bullpen, appearing in 25 games and posting a 1.71 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 24 strikeouts over 26.1 innings of relief work.
Arizona will also receive two lower-level prospects in Wellington Aracena and José Mejía.
Aracena was acquired by the Orioles last season, along with fellow right-hander Cameron Foster, in the deal that sent left-hander Gregory Soto to the New York Mets.
It was a strong 2025 campaign for Aracena, as he pitched to a 2.25 ERA between the Low-A and High-A levels. In 23 games (14 starts), the 21-year-old struck out 114 and walked 51 batters in 92 innings of work.
Mejía, a 20-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic, mostly spent the 2025 season with the FCL Orioles, although he did appear in two games with High-A Aberdeen.
In his combined 49 games played last season, Mejía slashed .271/.418/.403 with an .821 OPS. He collected 24 RBIs over that time.
Alexander is out of minor-league options and therefore becomes the top candidate for the Orioles’ utility role this season. He is also under contract until 2031.
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