Bellaire High (Bellaire, Texas) senior shortstop Enrique Cruz doesn't mind being part of Houston's most famous baseball family. The talented young ballplayer actually embraces it.

"It is an enjoyable thing," says Cruz of growing up as the son of former Houston Astros star Jose Cruz. "I have been involved with Major League baseball all my life. I have enjoyed the Astrodome with my dad. I also am getting to enjoy my brother's (Jose Cruz Jr.) success (with the Toronto Blue Jays). It has been pure joy."

Now, if Enrique could only convince opposing pitchers to give him a shot to strut his stuff a little bit, too.

	Cruz, who has signed with Rice University, set the country on fire as a junior last spring, batting over .400 with 10 home runs.

Cruz, who has signed with Rice University, set the country on fire as a junior last spring, batting over .400 with 10 home runs' including a pair of towering shots in an Astrodome playoff victory over Humble High. But this year, Cruz has only one homer and a sprinkling of RBI to his name.

"Nobody will pitch to him," says Bellaire baseball coach Rocky Manuel. "His average is down and his power numbers are down. But it is tough to hit the ball when they don't throw you anything to hit."

"He is blistering the ball when he gets a chance to hit it," the coach adds. "He also has 31 walks and 29 stolen bases, so he is really helping us that way. It might come to the point where we have to lead him off and let him steal second and third."

Cruz, regarded as one of the top Major League prospects in the nation, says he is trying to remain patient at the plate. But it hasn't been easy.

"It's frustrating at times," says Cruz. "But it's also good. I am showing that I am patient. I want to contribute to this baseball team any way I can. If that means taking walks and stealing bases, that?s what I will do."

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Cruz helped lead Bellaire to a 38-2 record, the Class 5A state title and a mythical national championship last year. This spring, the Cardinals are 24-1 and ranked No. 1 in the SchoolSports.com national baseball Top 25.

"There is not much difference between the two teams (last year's and this year's)," says Cruz, who is good buddies with Astros pitcher Jose Lima. "We both have the same mentality. We go out and play hard and expect to come out winning. I want to end my career with another (state) championship."

As for his future, Cruz says he is excited to play for Rice, which is close enough to his home so that his parents can watch him play. But thanks to some impressive genes, and a world of talent, Cruz may never suit up for the Owls.

"Growing up in this family, it is not really put upon you, but you view it like you have a shot (to play in the major leagues)," says Cruz. "I plan on pursuing the family tradition. I thank God for our love for baseball and what it has done for our family."

Cruz already spends a great deal of time in the big leagues, hanging out with his father, who now is the first base coach for the Astros.

"It's a lot of fun to hang around all those guys and get a feel for what it's like to play at that level," he says, adding he might wind up signing a professional contract after his high school career is over.

"It all just depends on whether a team really wanted me," says Cruz. "We will handle the situation when it occurs. Whatever happens, happens. I have heard playing college baseball is great."