Happy Birthday - 11/1

RHP Rhiner Cruz (26)
Initially signed by the Tigers as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, Cruz was drafted from the Mets in the December 2011 Rule 5 draft. In 52 appearances for the Astros in 2012, Cruz had an ERA of 6.05 and a WHIP of 1.709. But that's not the whole story. Like much of the Astros bullpen, Cruz was effective early in the season and late in the season. In between? Not so much. In April, May and August through October, his ERA was 3.13 and his WHIP was 1.473. In June and July? 12.46 ERA and 2.250 WHIP.

3B Jonathan Meyer (22)
Drafted as a third round supplemental pick in 2009 out of high school in California, Meyer spent his second season with Lancaster in 2012, hitting .272/.315/.375 with 24 doubles, two triples and eight home runs. Like  many of his Lancaster teammates, his hot bat helped he JetHawks get to the playoffs as he hit .350/.409/.600 with four doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI in his final 10 regular season games. He carried that into the playoffs, hitting .343 with three doubles, two home runs, a stolen base and 10 RBI.

RHP Frederick Tiburcio (22)
A non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, Tiburcio is in his fourth season in the organiztion. He spent 2011 with the GCL Astros and 2012 with the Greeneville Astros with remarkably similar results.

2011 - 12 games (10 starts), 3-5 record, 4.47 ERA, 1.399 WHIP, 54-1/3 IP
2012 - 12 games (11 starts), 3-5 record, 4.47 ERA, 1.354 WHIP, 58-1/3 IP

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Russ Kemmerer (81)
Kemmerer came to Houston in a trade with the White Sox in June 1962. In a total of 53 appearances for the Colt .45's in 1962 and 1963, he was 5-3 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.366 WHIP.

OF Howie Goss (died July 31, 1996 at 61)
Goss came to Houston from the Pirates in April 1963 and played in 133 games for the 1963 Colt .45's with a .209/.264/.328.