The Baltimore Orioles made a noteworthy move by dealing veteran infielder Ramón Urías to the Houston Astros, acquiring Single‑A pitching prospect Twine Palmer in return. While Urías instantly fills a defensive void for the Astros, Palmer represents a long‑term addition for Baltimore’s developing farm system.
This trade reflects the Orioles’ shift into sell‑mode as they capitalize on controllable veteran assets ahead of the playoff push.
Trade Details & Context
Houston officially acquired Urías on July 31, a Gold Glove third baseman with experience across multiple infield positions, in exchange for Palmer and cash considerations. Urías, 31, has spent his entire six-season MLB career with Baltimore and posted a .248 average with eight home runs and 34 RBIs over 77 games this season.
Meanwhile, Palmer, a 20‑year‑old right‑hander selected in the 19th round of the 2024 draft, posted a 2.13 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 13 starts at Fayetteville Single‑A.
For Houston, the acquisition addressed an urgent need at third base after All-Star Isaac Paredes suffered a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for months. For Baltimore, the move signals a pivot toward the future–flipping veteran salary and limited playing time into a long-range pitching asset while keeping payroll flexibility intact.
Palmer’s Profile & Upside
Palmer is not a household name yet, but the 6-foot-5 righty has quietly built buzz within scouting circles thanks to his combination of raw athleticism, late bloomer background, and recent command improvements. Originally from Houston, Texas, Palmer attended a small junior college before transferring to Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, where he blossomed late as a weekend starter. He wasn’t heavily scouted during his prep years and wasn’t drafted until the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft–a pick that drew little fanfare at the time.
Despite the modest entry point, Palmer quickly turned heads after signing. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, and he’s made strides with both his slider and changeup. After joining the Astros’ Single-A affiliate in Fayetteville, he made 13 starts and posted a 2-0 record with a 2.13 ERA. Over 42.1 innings, he struck out 44 batters while holding opponents to a .211 batting average. Even more impressive was his improved command–he walked just 12 batters in that span, showcasing significant year-over-year growth.
Organizational Fit & Strategic Vision
For Baltimore, the move affirms a broader strategy: divesting from veteran pieces to replenish their high-upside talent base. With established infield prospects like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and Coby Mayo already ascending, Urías had become expendable–his role both crowded and relatively redundant. By obtaining Palmer, Baltimore gains a young arm that could fit rotational or bullpen projections in the coming seasons.
Palmer fits the mold of pitchers the Orioles have increasingly targeted: tall, athletic, under-scouted, and trending in the right direction. Baltimore’s player development group has earned praise in recent years for its ability to enhance pitch shapes and optimize sequencing, which could further unlock Palmer’s potential. His mechanics have cleaned up significantly since college, and there’s optimism within the Orioles’ camp that more velocity could come with added strength and refinement.
While Palmer isn’t likely to appear on any Top 30 prospect lists right away, the Orioles reportedly identified him as a name to watch. He’ll likely begin his tenure in the organization at Low-A Delmarva or possibly High-A Aberdeen, depending on how aggressively Baltimore chooses to push him. If development goes smoothly, Palmer could be knocking on the Double-A door sometime next season.
For Orioles fans, the payoff will take time. Palmer–still in Single‑A–is far from MLB-ready. Baltimore, banking on scouting and development, hopes that his early command and physical tools develop into a more advanced pitch mix.
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