Happy Birthday - 10/14

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Devonte German (20)
Drafted in the 11th round in 2013 out of high school in Reno, Nevada, German spent his 2014 season with the Greeneville Astros. In 13 games (nine starts), he was 1-2 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.646 WHIP.

OF Ronny Rafael (17)
Signed by Houston out of the Dominican Republic during the July international signing period in 2014, Rafael has not yet started his professional career. He was listed by Baseball America as the number 25 international prospect prior to his signing.

Several former Astros celebrate the day as well ~

RHP Alberto Arias (31)
From the Dominican Republic, Arias was originally signed as a NDFA by Colorado and was picked up by Houston in 2008 as a waiver claim. In 45 appearances for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Arias had a 3.86 ERA and a 1.584 WHIP.

SS/2B Kiko Garcia (61)
Originally drafted by the Orioles in the third round in 1971, Garcia came to Houston in an April 1981 trade with Baltimore. In 82 games for the Astros in 1981 and 1982, Garcia hit .250/.295/.325.

C Carl Nichols (52)
A fourth round pick by Baltimore in 1980, Nichols came to Houston in a March 1989 trade and played for the Astros for three seasons, from 1989 to 1991. In 60 games, he hit .186/.271/.239. After his retirement, he coached at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.

IF Dave Hajek (47)
Signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 1989, Hajek got a couple of cups of coffee as he played in a total of 13 games for the Astros in 1995 and 1996, hitting .250/.400/.333. In 10 minor league seasons, he hit .301/.344/.408. In 2014, he was the hitting coach for the Rockies AAA team.

Happy Birthday - 10/14

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Devonte German (19)
Drafted in the 11th round in 2013 out of high school in Reno Nevada, German only pitched in seven games for the Gulf Coast League Astros with unremarkable results. One thing is quite remarkable, though. The newly turned 19-year old is listed as 6'5" 240#. I can't wait to see this big guy in action next season.

Former Astros with birthdays today:

RHP Alberto Arias (30)
From the Dominican Republic, Arias was originally signed as a NDFA by Colorado and was picked up by Houston in 2008 as a waiver claim. In 45 appearances for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Arias had a 3.86 ERA and a 1.584 WHIP.

SS/2B Kiko Garcia (60)
Originally drafted by the Orioles in the third round in 1971, Garcia came to Houston in an April 1981 trade with Baltimore. In 82 games for the Astros in 1981 and 1982, Garcia hit .250/.295/.325.

C Carl Nichols (51)
A fourth round pick by Baltimore in 1980, Nichols came to Houston in a March 1989 trade and played for the Astros for three seasons, from 1989 to 1991. In 60 games, he hit .186/.271/.239. After his retirement, he coached at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.

IF Dave Hajek (46)
Signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 1989, Hajek got a couple of cups of coffee as he played in a total of 13 games for the Astros in 1995 and 1996, hitting .250/.400/.333. In 10 minor league seasons, he hit  .301/.344/.408. In 2013, he was the hitting coach for the Rockies AAA team.

Happy Birthday - 10/14

OF Jarrod McKinney (23)
Originally from Hughes Springs, Texas (which I determined is pretty much precisely in the middle of nowhere near the Arkansas and Louisiana borders), McKinney was drafted in the 31st round in 2011 out of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  In 48 games for Tri-City this season, he hit .224/.312/.360.

Former Astros with birthdays today:

RHP Alberto Arias (29)
From the Dominican Republic, he was originally signed as a NDFA by Colorado and was picked up by Houston in 2008 as a waiver claim. In 45 appearances for Houston in 2008 and 2009, Arias had a 3.86 ERA and a 1.584 WHIP.

SS,2B Kiko Garcia (59)
Originally drafted by the Orioles in the third round in 1971, Garcia came to Houston in an April 1981 trade with Baltimore. In 82 games for the Astros in 1981 and 1982, Garcia hit .250/.295/.325.

C Carl Nichols (50)
A fourth round pick by Baltimore in 1980, Nichols came to Houston in a March 1989 trade and played for the Astros for three seasons, from 1989 to 1991. In 60 games, he hit .186/.271/.239. After his retirement, he coached at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.

IF Dave Hajek (45)
Signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 1989, Hajek got a couple of cups of coffee as he played in a total of 13 games for the Astros in 1995 and 1996, hitting .250/.400/.333. In 10 minor league seasons, he hit  .301/.344/.408. In 2012, he was a minor league infield coordinator for the Rockies.

Happy Birthday - 10/14

RHP Alberto Arias (28)
The oft-injured Arias hasn't pitched for Houston since 2009 when he went 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA in 42 appearances over 45.2 innings.  From the Dominican Republic, he was originally signed as a NDFA by Colorado and was picked up by Houston in 2008 as a waiver claim.

OF Jarrod McKinney (22)
Originally from Texas, Jarrod was drafted in the 31st round in 2011 out of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  In 35 games with the GCL Astros, he hit only .182, but he did manage to hit .263 in 16 away games.

Former Astros with birthdays today:

SS,3B Kiko Garcia (58)
Played for Houston in 1981 and 1982

C Carl Nichols (49)
Played for Houston in 1989 to 1991

IF Dave Hajek (44)
Played in 13 games for Houston in 1995 and 1996