Dietrich Enns Bio
Dietrich Arthur Enns, born May 16, 1991, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Over the course of his career, he has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Detroit Tigers. He has also played internationally in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions and in the KBO League for the LG Twins. Known for his resilience and adaptability, Enns has built a career that spans multiple leagues and continents.
Early Life and Background
Dietrich Enns grew up in Illinois and attended Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort. During his high school years, he developed a strong interest in baseball and honed his skills as a pitcher. After graduating, he continued his baseball career at Central Michigan University, where he played college baseball for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Enns quickly established himself as a standout player in college. 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. The following summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star. These early achievements set the stage for his transition to professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
Enns’ path to professional baseball began when the New York Yankees selected him in the 19th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that year with the Staten Island Yankees, where he posted a 2-0 win-loss record with a 2.11 earned run average (ERA) and 33 strikeouts over 42⅔ innings. His strong performance earned him a promotion through the Yankees’ minor league system.
In 2013, Enns started the season with the Charleston RiverDogs and was named a Mid-Season All-Star. He was later promoted to the Class A-Advanced Tampa Yankees in June. However, his progress was interrupted in 2014 when a season-ending injury required Tommy John surgery. Despite this setback, Enns returned in 2015 and posted impressive numbers, including a 0.61 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 58⅔ innings between the Gulf Coast League Yankees and the Tampa Yankees.
Dietrich Enns Career
Early Career (2012-2016)
Enns’ early professional career was marked by steady progression through the Yankees’ minor league affiliates. In 2016, he made both his Double-A and Triple-A debuts, moving 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. His performance earned him Eastern League Player of the Month honors in April and a Mid-Season All-Star selection.
Despite his success in the minor leagues, Enns faced challenges in reaching the major leagues. On July 30, 2017, the Yankees traded him and Zack Littell to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Jaime García. This trade marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, as he finally got the opportunity to pitch at the highest level.
Minnesota Twins (2017-2018)
Enns made his major league debut on August 10, 2017, with the Minnesota Twins, pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed one earned run on five hits over 2.1 innings in his debut start. However, his time with the Twins was cut short by a strained shoulder, which placed him on the disabled list in August. He finished the 2017 season with a brief stint in the major leagues and returned to the minor leagues for rehabilitation.
In 2018, Enns began the season with the Rochester Red Wings but was designated for assignment on May 1 after posting a 4.50 ERA in 20 innings over four starts. He was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester and 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, 2018.
Tampa Bay Rays (2020-2021)
After brief stints with the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners organizations, Enns signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on August 18, 2020. On August 3, 2021, the Rays selected his contract, and he made his Rays debut on August 7, tossing one scoreless inning against the Baltimore Orioles. Enns was released by the Rays on November 17, 2021, after recording a 2.82 ERA in 22⅓ innings.
Saitama Seibu Lions (2022-2023)
On November 23, 2021, Enns signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2022, he pitched in 23 games, going 10-7 with a 2.94 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 122⅓ innings. 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. Enns became a free agent following the 2023 season.
LG Twins (2024)
On November 19, 2023, Enns signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the LG Twins of the KBO League. In 33 starts for the Twins in 2024, he posted a 13-6 record with a 4.19 ERA and 157 strikeouts over 167⅔ innings. His performance helped solidify his reputation as a reliable pitcher in international leagues. Enns became a free agent following the season.
Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles (2025-Present)
On December 15, 2024, Enns announced he had agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. He formally signed with the team on January 7, 2025. In 14 starts for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, Enns logged a 2-2 record and 2.89 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 62⅓ innings pitched. The Tigers selected his contract on June 26, 2025, and named him the starting pitcher for that day. In his first MLB game since September 2021, he pitched five shutout innings against the Athletics and earned the win. In seven appearances for Detroit, Enns compiled a 1-1 record and 5.60 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 17⅔ innings pitched.
On July 31, 2025, Enns was designated for assignment by the Tigers and traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. He made 17 appearances for Baltimore, compiling a 2-2 record and 3.14 ERA with 34 strikeouts and two saves across 28⅔ innings pitched. In 2026, he pitched in 13 games for Baltimore, logging a 3-0 record and 3.94 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 16 innings. On May 26, 2026, Enns was designated for assignment by the Orioles and was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on May 31.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Enns’ career came in 2022 when he became the first non-Japanese left-handed pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions to win 10 games in a season since 1953. This achievement highlighted his impact in international baseball. Additionally, his ability to return to the major leagues after years in the minor leagues and international play demonstrated his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Dietrich Enns Family
Personal Life
Dietrich Enns married his wife, Julie Anne, in 2019. In May 2022, while playing for the Seibu Lions in Japan, he graduated from Northeastern University through its online degree program, further demonstrating his commitment to education alongside his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Dietrich Enns’ 2025 season was a story of perseverance and opportunity. After signing a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, he worked his way back to the major leagues with a strong performance in Triple-A Toledo. His MLB debut with the Tigers on June 26, 2025, against the Athletics, was a highlight, as he pitched five shutout innings and earned the win. Later in the season, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he contributed 17 appearances with a 3.14 ERA, two saves, and 34 strikeouts.
Throughout the 2025 season, Enns demonstrated his ability to adapt to different teams and roles, from starting pitcher to reliever. His performance in both the minor and major leagues reflected his consistent work ethic and competitive spirit. As he looks ahead, Enns remains a valuable asset in the Baltimore Orioles organization.
