Happy Birthday - 4/8

RHP Juan Abreu (27)
Abreu came to Houston as a part of the Michael Bourn trade in July 2011.  In 2011, he posted a combined 2.18 ERA and a 1.318 WHIP with 12.0 SO/9 between the Braves and Astros AAA teams.  In 7 appearances for the Astros, Abreu had a 2.70 ERA and and 1.350 WHIP and struck out 12 in 6.2 innings pitched.  But there was the matter of five hit batters in that time frame as well.  He is currently listed as #18 on Jonathan Mayo's top 20 prospect list for the Astros.  Abreu started the season at AAA Oklahoma City.

IF Diory Hernandez (28)
Originally signed by the Braves as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic, Hernandez signed with the Astros as a free agent in November 2011.  In 9 seasons in the minor leagues, he carries a .272/.323/.378 batting line.  He has played in 75 games over 3 seasons with the Braves with less than spectacular results at the plate.  However, he had a good winter in the Dominican Republic, hitting .287/.337/.397 over 49 games.  Hernandez is starting out the season at Oklahoma City.

Pitching Coach Gary Ruby (63)
Ruby started in the Astros organization as the pitching coach for the Salem Avalanche in 2007-2008, served in the same position for Tri-City from 2009-2011 and will be coaching for Corpus Christi starting this season.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Richard Joseph "Turk" Farrell (died June 10, 1977 at 43)
Ferrell came to Houston in the expansion draft in 1961 and played for the Colt 45's and Astros from 1962 to 1967.  The hard-throwing and intense right-hander was 53-64 in 181 games for Houston with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP.  A three-time All-Star for Houston, Farrell led the National League in WAR in 1962, a year in which he compiled an anemic 10-20 record due to lack of run support.  Farrell died in an auto accident in England in 1977.

OF Jose Herrera (70)
Herrera, a native of Venezuela, was signed as a free agent by Houston in 1964 and made his major league debut in 1967.  He only played in 32 games for Houston in 1967 and 1968 before being drafted by Montreal in the 1968 expansion draft.