Just days before pitchers and catchers were slated to report, the Orioles and Diamondbacks swung a trade that bolstered Baltimore’s infield in exchange for three prospects. Blaze Alexander went east while Arizona collected righties Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena and infielder Jose Mejia. 

ORIOLES RECEIVE

Blaze Alexander, 3B
Age: 24

Alexander was the D-backs’ 11th-round pick in 2018 out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The versatile righthanded hitter moved all around the diamond in 2025, though most of his time was spent at third base and second base. He also got time in left and center field. Alexander does a decent job finding the barrel and hits the ball plenty hard. If he can cut down on his empty swings, he could provide a bit more consistent thump. 

D-BACKS RECEIVE

Wellington Aracena, RHP
Age: 21

Aracena was originally signed by the Mets but was dealt to Baltimore in 2025 as part of the return for reliever Gregory Soto. The righthander works with a four-pitch mix led by a double-plus fastball that touched 101 mph. He backs the heater with a cutter and slider with average potential as well as a changeup that lags a tick behind. Strikes were a major issue in 2025 for Aracena, who walked 51 hitters in 92 innings spread across the Class A levels. 

Kade Strowd, RHP
Age: 28

The Orioles took Strowd in the 12th round of the 2019 draft out of West Virginia. He made his big league debut in 2025 and pitched 26.1 innings out of Baltimore’s bullpen. The righthander throws the kitchen sink at hitters, including four-seam, two-seam and cut fastballs, as well as a sweeper and a curveball. The low-90s cutter got the greatest usage in the big leagues, while his mid-90s four-seamer and sinker served as fine complements. He used his curveball most often against lefties, while the sweeper was his weapon of choice against same-side hitters. Overall, he did a good job getting whiffs and limiting hard contact and should see regular time out of Arizona’s pen in 2026.

Jose Mejia, 2B
Age: 20

Mejia spent most of his 2025 season in the Florida Complex League outside of a two-game cameo at High-A in May. He moved all around the diamond at both spots, including three appearances on the mound. Mejia rarely swings but also rarely misses, including a zone-miss rate of just 7.7% in 2025. He doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard and doesn’t pull the ball in the air often, either.