Happy Birthday - 1/18

LHP Wandy Rodriguez (33)
Wandy was first signed with the Astros on January 12, 1999 as a 17-year old NDFA named Eny Cabreja.  It wasn't until 2002 that he revealed to the Astros that he had really been 19 at the time and had used a friend's identity. ( Here is a great article by Jose de Jesus Ortiz from 2008 that helps explain the pressures facing young Dominican players who are considered old at 19.)  Wandy has pitched in 206 games over seven seasons, compiling a 73-75 record with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.346 WHIP.  His 11 wins in 2011 (11-11 record)  represented 19.6% of all of the Astros wins for the year.

RHP Rodney Quintero (22)
Quintero was drafted out of community college in Florida in the 25th round in 2010.  In 16 games in relief at Greeneville in 2011, Quintero compiled an unimpressive 5.97 ERA and 1.534 WHIP.  But as can happen with relief pitchers, a couple of bad outings can skew the numbers.  I would prefer to focus on his very impressive SO/9 rate of 10.05.

RHP Frangy Colon (19)
Colon was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Astros as a free agent in the middle of the 2011 season.  In five games for the DSL Astros, he pitched six innings in relief with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.667 WHIP.