| Morgan Ensberg | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Ensberg with theDurham Bulls in 2025 | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: (1975-08-26)August 26, 1975 (age 50) Hermosa Beach, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 20, 2000, for the Houston Astros | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 25, 2008, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .263 |
| Home runs | 110 |
| Runs batted in | 347 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Morgan Paul Ensberg (born August 26, 1975) is an American former professionalbaseballinfielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theHouston Astros,San Diego Padres, andNew York Yankees. Ensberg bats and throwsright-handed. From 2011–12 he was the co-host ofMLB Roundtrip on SiriusXM'sMLB Network Radio.[1] As of 2025, Ensberg is the manager of theDurham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of theTampa Bay Rays.[2][3]
Ensberg was born inHermosa Beach, California. He attendedRiviera Hall Lutheran School during elementary and middle school. He was an All CIF Basketball and Baseball Player atRedondo Union High School (Redondo Beach, California). He was also named to the Daily Breeze All Area Team in both basketball and baseball his senior year.[citation needed]
Ensberg attended theUniversity of Southern California and played third base. In 1997, he playedcollegiate summer baseball in theCape Cod Baseball League for theYarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[4] He was a 1998All-American and TeamMVP for USC's 1998National Championship team. He is the only Trojan who has compiled 20home runs and 20stolen bases in a single season.[5] He holds top 10 records in 10 offensive categories. While attending USC, he joined thePhi Delta Theta fraternity.[citation needed]
Ensberg was drafted in the ninth round of the1998 Major League Baseball draft. Inspring training of2000, he and five of his teammates were in their hotel room when two gunmen burst into their room.Aaron Miles was in the next room and wrestled one of the gunmen to the ground before the other one fled, only to be caught later on. The other players involved were: Derrek Nicholson,Keith Ginter,Mike Rose, and Eric Cole.[6]
Ensberg enjoyed a stellar2005 season,batting .283 with 36 home runs and compiling a career high 101RBI while helping lead the Astros to theWorld Series. He was named to the National League All-Star team at the last minute in 2005, replacing the injuredScott Rolen. He was also awarded theSilver Slugger Award for NL third basemen.
Other thanBarry Bonds, Ensberg was the only major league player to record at least 100walks and have fewerhits than walks in 2006.
On July 31, 2007, the Astros traded Ensberg to the San Diego Padres. This was only days after the Astros tradedpitcherDan Wheeler to theTampa Bay Rays for utility manTy Wigginton. Houston paid the remainder of Ensberg's $4.35 million salary. He hit two home runs and asingle in his Padres debut.[7]
Ensberg was not offered a new contract by the Padres and became afree agent on December 12, 2007. On January 31,2008, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees with an invitation to spring training, anticipating to compete for thefirst base position.[8] On March 22, he was added to the Yankees 40-man roster.[9]
In 2008, Ensberg hit .203 with a home run and 4 runs batted in for the Yankees. The Yankees designated him for assignment on June 1,[10] and released him on June 8.[11] On June 17, he signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Indians.[12] He became a free agent at the end of the season.
On February 9,2009, Ensberg signed a minor league deal with theTampa Bay Rays and was invited to the major league camp.[13] However, he was released at the end of spring training.[14] After the 2009 season, he decided to retire from baseball.[15] He started a public blog and announced his intent to transition into a broadcasting career.[16]
Ensberg is the only MLB player in history to have won championship rings in college (USC '98), rookie league (Auburn '98), single A (Kissimmee '99), AA (Round Rock '00), AAA (New Orleans '01), and to have played in a World Series (2005, Houston Astros).[citation needed]
For the 2011 and 2012 baseball seasons, Ensberg was hired as a hitters and infielders coach for theUC San Diego Tritons.[5][17]
Beginning in the 2013 season, Ensberg rejoined theHouston Astros organization as a developmental specialist for the Single-ALancaster JetHawks.[5][18] The Astros announced his new role as a Minor League special assignment coach in 2014.[19]
On January 9, 2017, Ensberg was named manager of theTri-City ValleyCats, the Low-A affiliate of the Astros in theNew York–Penn League.[5]
On January 19, 2018, Ensberg became the manager of theBuies Creek Astros, the High-A affiliate of the Astros in theCarolina League.[20] He was named 2018 Best Managerial Prospect in theCarolina League byBaseball America. The Buies Creek Astros won the 2018 Carolina League with a record of 80–57.[21]
On January 18, 2019, Ensberg became the manager for theTampa Bay Rays' Double-A affiliate, theMontgomery Biscuits.[22] He led the Biscuits to a club record 88-50.[23] He was named 2019 Southern League Manager of the Year and was also awarded the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays Employee of the Year.
After the 2023 minor league season, Ensberg managed thePeoria Javelinas of theArizona Fall League. The Javelinas reached the finals, but fell to theSurprise Saguaros, 5–4.
On January 23, 2024, Ensberg was announced as the manager of theDurham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.[2][3]
Ensberg was named manager of theCaribes de Anzoátegui prior to the start of the 2024–25Venezuelan Professional Baseball League season.[24] He lasted one season in the role, and was replaced byAsdrúbal Cabrera for the following season.[25]
Ensberg ... from 2011-12 was the co-host on SiriusXM's MLB Roundtrip radio show.
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