Dietrich Enns

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Dietrich Enns

|image = Saitama Seibu Lions Dietrich Enns 20220417.jpg

|caption = Enns with the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2022

|width =

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|5|16}}

|birth_place = Frankfort, Illinois, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 10

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|debut2league= NPB

|debut2date = April 10

|debut2year = 2022

|debut2team = Saitama Seibu Lions

|debut3league= KBO

|debut3date = March 23

|debut3year = 2024

|debut3team = LG Twins

|statyear = 2021 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 2–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.42

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 27

|stat2year = 2023 season

|stat2league = NPB

|stat21label = Win–loss record

|stat21value = 11–17

|stat22label = Earned run average

|stat22value = 3.62

|stat23label = Strikeouts

|stat23value = 122

|stat3year = 2024 season

|stat3league = KBO

|stat31label = Win–loss record

|stat31value = 13-6

|stat32label = Earned run average

|stat32value = 4.19

|stat33label = Strikeouts

|stat33value = 157

|teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2017}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2021}})
Saitama Seibu Lions ({{npby|2022}}–{{npby|2023}})
LG Twins ({{baseball year|2024}})

}}

Dietrich Enns (born May 16, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays, in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions, and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.

Amateur career

Enns attended Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, and Central Michigan University. He played college baseball for the Central Michigan Chippewas. In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star.{{cite web |author= |date= |title=#15 Dietrich Enns – Profile |url=https://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=142757 |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=pointstreak.com}} In 2010, he was named the Mid-American Conference's Freshman of the Year after allowing the fewest hits per nine innings in NCAA Division I and posting the fifth-best earned run average in Division I.{{cite news |date=May 25, 2010 |title=Specialty Award Winners, All-MAC Baseball Teams Announced |url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2010/5/25/BB_132098.aspx?path=baseball |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=Mid-American Conference |language=en}}

Professional career

=New York Yankees=

The New York Yankees selected Enns in the 19th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |date=2012-06-07 |title=Lincoln-Way East grad Enns picked by Yankees in draft |url=http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/sports/13039252-419/lincoln-way-east-grad-enns-picked-by-yankees-in-draft.html#.U2gg4oFdWSo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120758/http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/sports/13039252-419/lincoln-way-east-grad-enns-picked-by-yankees-in-draft.html#.U2gg4oFdWSo |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |website=Southtown Star}} He made his professional debut for the Staten Island Yankees. In 22 games, he had a 2–0 win–loss record with a 2.11 earned run average (ERA) and 33 strikeouts over {{frac|42|2|3}} innings. He started the 2013 season with the Charleston RiverDogs and was a Mid-Season All-Star.{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Andrew |date=2013-06-13 |title=Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Dietrich Enns opening eyes in Yankees organization |url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130613/PC20/130619728 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082035/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130613/PC20/130619728 |archive-date=2014-10-06 |work=Post and Courier}} He was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Tampa Yankees in June of that year.{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2013 |title=RiverDogs' Pitchers De Paula and Enns Promoted to High-A Tampa |url=https://www.live5news.com/story/22616327/riverdogs-pitchers-de-paula-and-enns-promoted-to-high-a-tampa |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=WCSC Live 5 News |language=en}} Overall, he pitched in 28 games with eight starts, and went 4–6 with a 2.94 ERA and 112 strikeouts in {{frac|82|2|3}} innings.

In 2014, he stayed with Tampa where he posted a 1.42 ERA in 13 games and {{frac|25|1|3}} innings, but his season was ended by an injury which required Tommy John surgery.{{cite web |last1=Cavadi |first1=Wayne |url=https://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/7/2/12086484/dietrich-enns-turning-heads-and-missing-bats-for-the-new-york-yankees|title=Dietrich Enns turning heads — and missing bats — for the New York Yankees|website=MinorLeagueBall.com|publisher=SB Nation |access-date=February 11, 2019|date=July 2, 2016}} He returned in June 2015, to pitch with the Gulf Coast League Yankees and the Tampa Yankees, where he put up a 0.61 ERA and 55 strikeouts in {{frac|58|2|3}} innings between the two clubs. Whereas Enns had primarily appeared out of the bullpen prior to his surgery, he made 12 starts in his 13 games in 2015.

2016 saw Enns make both his Double-A and Triple-A debuts, moving back and forth between the Trenton Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He put up a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts between the two levels, striking out 124 in 135 innings. He earned Eastern League Player of the Month honors in April and was a Mid-Season All-Star.{{Cite web |last=Franko |first=Kyle |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Thunder pitcher Dietrich Enns named EL Player of the Month for April |url=https://www.trentonian.com/2016/05/05/thunder-pitcher-dietrich-enns-named-el-player-of-the-month-for-april/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Trentonian |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Thunder land five on Eastern League All-Star roster |url=https://www.trentonian.com/2016/06/30/thunder-land-five-on-eastern-league-all-star-roster/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Trentonian |language=en-US}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On July 30, 2017, the Yankees traded Enns and Zack Littell to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Jaime García and cash consideration.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-acquire-starting-pitcher-jaime-garcia-twins-report-article-1.3369155|title=Yankees acquire starting pitcher Jaime Garcia from Twins for two prospects|work=New York Daily News|first=Mike|last=Mazzeo|date=July 30, 2017|access-date=July 30, 2017}} He pitched in three games with the Rochester Red Wings before he was promoted to the big leagues.{{Cite web |last=Neal III |first=La Velle E. |date=2017-08-09 |title=Dietrich Enns called to the majors, will start for Twins Thursday |url=https://www.startribune.com/dietrich-enns-called-to-the-majors-could-start-for-twins-as-soon-as-thursday/439546673/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Star Tribune |language=en}} He made his major league debut on August 10, where he allowed one earned run on five hits over 2.1 innings in a start against the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web |title=Twins 7–2 Brewers (Aug 10, 2017) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/370810108 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Enns made a relief appearance on August 15, where he allowed two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings of work against the Cleveland Indians.{{Cite web |title=Indians 8–1 Twins (Aug 15, 2017) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/370815109 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Enns was scheduled to start again on August 20, but instead was placed on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, having allowed three earned runs in four innings.{{cite web |title=Twins activate reliever Glen Perkins from 60-day DL |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20368563/minnesota-twins-activate-reliever-glen-perkins-60-day-dl |work=ESPN.com |access-date=February 11, 2019 |date=August 17, 2017}} Enns made two rehab starts with Rochester, and then was activated and optioned to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts in September.{{cite web |title=Twins' Dietrich Enns: Activated but optioned |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-dietrich-enns-activated-but-optioned/ |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=February 11, 2019 |date=September 5, 2017}}

Enns began the 2018 season with the RedWings, again working as a starter. After putting up a 4.50 ERA in 20 innings over four starts, Enns was designated for assignment on May 1 and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=May 1, 2018 |title=Twins Place Miguel Sano On DL, Designate Dietrich Enns |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/twins-place-miguel-sano-on-dl-designate-dietrich-enns.html |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Twins' Dietrich Enns: Sent outright to Rochester |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-dietrich-enns-sent-outright-to-rochester/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} He finished the season with a 4.60 ERA in 22 starts between Rochester and Chattanooga, posting 106 strikeouts in 129 innings. Enns elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018}}

=San Diego Padres=

On November 29, 2018, Enns signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.{{cite web |last1=Stevens |first1=Nick |title=San Diego Padres: Dietrich Enns Signs Minor League Deal |url=https://friarsonbase.com/2018/12/04/san-diego-padres-dietrich-enns-signs-deal/ |website=FanSided |date=December 4, 2018 |publisher=Friars On Base |access-date=February 11, 2019}} In 28 games (25 starts) for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas in 2019, he was 11–11 with a 6.70 ERA and 105 strikeouts, and led the minor leagues in home runs given up (37).{{cite web |date= |title=2019 Register Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?request=1&type=pitch&year=2019&group=Minors&sort_by=HR |access-date=November 9, 2019 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Enns elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On January 29, 2020, Enns signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/transactions/2020/01 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On May 27, Enns was released by the Mariners organization amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Preusser |first=Kate |date=May 29, 2020 |title=Mariners release 44 minor leaguers before 2020 season (updated list) |url=https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2020/5/29/21275134/mariners-release-multiple-minor-leaguers-before-2020-season-updated-list |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Lookout Landing |language=en}}

After his release, Enns pitched 18 innings for the independent Tully Monsters, allowing only 2 runs and 10 hits.{{Cite web |last=Millar |first=Steve |date=July 20, 2020 |title=A means to an Enns: Lincoln-Way East graduate Dietrich Enns gets back on the mound with Tully Monsters in City of Champions Cup |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/07/20/a-means-to-an-enns-lincoln-way-east-graduate-dietrich-enns-gets-back-on-the-mound-with-tully-monsters-in-city-of-champions-cup/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On August 18, 2020, Enns signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{Cite web |last=Englebrecht |first=Brody |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Tampa Bay Rays Sign Tully Monster Pitcher Dietrich Enns |url=https://chicagomorningstar.com/tampa-bay-rays-sign-tully-monster-pitcher-dietrich-enns |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Chicago Morning Star |language=en-US}} On August 3, 2021, the Rays selected Enns' contract.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=2021-08-03 |title=Rays Select Dietrich Enns |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/rays-select-dietrich-enns.html |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In his Rays debut on August 7, Enns tossed one scoreless inning against the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web |title=Rays 12–3 Orioles (Aug 7, 2021) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401228725 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Enns was released by the Rays on November 17, 2021, after recording a 2.82 ERA in {{frac|22|1|3}} innings.{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |date=2021-11-17 |title=Rays pitcher Dietrich Enns headed to overseas team |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2021/11/17/rays-pitcher-dietrich-enns-headed-to-overseas-team/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

=Saitama Seibu Lions=

On November 23, 2021, Enns signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2021-11-21 |title=NPB'Äôs Seibu Lions Sign Dietrich Enns |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/rays-release-dietrich-enns-npb-kbo-japan-korea.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 2022, Enns pitched in 23 games, going 10–7 with a 2.94 ERA and 92 strikeouts in {{frac|122|1|3}} innings of work. He became the first non-Japanese left-handed pitcher for the franchise to win 10 games in a season since Marion O’Neil in 1953.{{Cite tweet |number=1566426068927401984 |user=npb_reddit |title=Seibu Lions pitcher Dietrich Enns is the first non-Japanese Lions southpaw pitcher to win 10 games in a season since Marion O'Neil did it in 1953. He's also the 3rd Lions non-Japanese P to win 10 games in his 1st season in NPB https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/317f465ce99f822786ad91e71d771bc97b3bf126 |date=2022-09-04 |access-date=2025-01-09}} He also became the third non-Japanese pitcher to win 10 games for the Lions in his first NPB season.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-04 |title= |script-title=ja:【西武】エンスが６回無失点でニール以来の１０勝到達「千賀だから厳しい試合を覚悟」 |trans-title=[Seibu] Ens pitches six scoreless innings, reaching 10 wins since Neil, "It's Senga, so we're prepared for a tough game" |url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/231499 |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Tokyo Sports WEB |language=ja}} He became a free agent following the 2023 season.

=LG Twins=

On November 19, 2023, Enns signed a one–year, $1 million contract with the LG Twins of the KBO League.{{Cite web |last=Deeds |first=Nick |date=2023-11-19 |title=Dietrich Enns To Sign With KBO'Äôs LG Twins |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/dietrich-enns-to-sign-with-kbos-lg-twins.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Mary |date=December 14, 2023 |title=LG Twins sign Dietrich Enns on one-year, $1 million deal |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-12-14/sports/Baseball/LG-Twins-sign-Dietrich-Enns-on-oneyear-1-million-deal/1935870 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en}} In 33 starts for the Twins in 2024, he posted a 13–6 record with a 4.19 ERA and 157 strikeouts over {{fraction|167|2|3}} innings. Enns became a free agent following the season.

=Detroit Tigers=

On December 15, 2024, Enns announced he had agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on Instagram.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=2024-12-27 |title=Tigers, Dietrich Enns Agree To Minor League Contract |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/tigers-dietrich-enns-agree-to-minor-league-contract.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} On January 7, 2025, he signed with the team.{{Cite web |last=Petzold |first=Evan |date=2025-01-07 |title=Detroit Tigers sign former Central Michigan pitcher Dietrich Enns to minor league contract |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/01/07/detroit-tigers-sign-dietrich-enns-former-central-michigan-pitcher/77515946007/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Enns and his wife, Julie Anne, married in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Dietrich Enns is latest to benefit from Rays' 'land of opportunity' |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2021/08/07/dietrich-enns-is-latest-to-benefit-from-rays-land-of-opportunity/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} In May 2022, while playing for Seibu Lions in Japan, he graduated Northeastern University utilizing online degree program.{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow8PET73zUs |title=Seibu Lions Pitcher Dietrich Enns |website=Breaking Bats Podcast |date=June 22, 2022 |issue=19 |publisher=Not For Long Media |via=YouTube |access-date=2025-01-09}}