Man Ensber has been so good for this team so far. The guy is simply on fire. I couldn't find this article posted anywhere yet. sorry if it has been. Ensberg named Player of the Week By Jim Molony / MLB.com Morgan Ensberg hit .529 with 11 RBIs last week. (Pat Sullivan/AP) HOUSTON -- For the last six weeks or so Morgan Ensberg has been putting it all together for the Houston Astros, giving regular indications that he might be blossoming into a force at third base. On Monday there was one more indication that Ensberg's impact on the league is gaining momentum. The 27-year-old was named National League Pepsi Player of the Week for June 2-8 after hitting .529 with three home runs and a league-leading 11 RBIs. For the week, Ensberg was 9-for-17. He compiled a slugging percentage of 1.059 and an on-base percentage of .636. His eight runs scored tied him for the league lead with two others. "He's done a heck of a job for us since the season started, but he's really picked up the pace offensively in the last five-six weeks," Houston manager Jimy Williams said. "He's hitting the ball hard and making the most of his at bats." The right-handed hitting Ensberg, who shares starting duties with Geoff Blum, is hitting .371 vs. left-handers and .324 against right-handers. "I'm really not doing anything different from last year," Ensberg said Saturday of his hot streak. "I think it's just a matter of being comfortable at the plate right now and hitting my pitch. I'm encouraged by the results so far, but there's still a long way to go." The 27-year old hit his first career grand slam home run on June 3 against the Orioles in a 11-6 win, setting a career-high with four RBI. Two days later he added another four-RBI game when he went 3-for-4 with a home run in an 11-1 win over Baltimore. Ensberg is hitting .442 with an .865 slugging percentage at Minute Maid Park. Overall, since May 1, Ensberg is hitting a team-high .380 (27-for-71) and his eight homers during that span leads the team. He has also driven in 24 and scored 25 runs in 27 games since May 1. This is Ensberg's first Player of the Week Award. Ensberg, a former ninth-round draft choice who was signed by Houston scout Doug Deutsch, was an All-American at the University of Southern California where he finished third with 40 career homers for the Trojans, trailing only Mark McGwire and Geoff Jenkins. Other candidates for the award were Montreal's Brad Wilkerson (.500, 3 HR, 8 RBI), Albert Pujols of the Cardinals (.583, 8 RBI), Florida's Mike Lowell (.391, 2 HR, 6 RBI), Javy Lopez (.545, 5 HR, 6 RBI) and John Smoltz (4 SV, 0.00 ERA) of the Braves; and Paul Lo Duca (.391, 3 RBI) and Eric Gagne (2 SV, 0.00 ERA) of the Dodgers. Ensberg will receive a Tourneau luxury Swiss timepiece as the National League Pepsi Player of the Week. Jim Molony is a writer for MLB.com based in Houston. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Well deserved. The hottest player on the hottest team in baseball. This kid is starting to live up to his expectations...and then some. Keep it up, Morgan!
He has been incredible. I hope he doesnt cool off too much....and anytime soon. We really need his bat.
One of the biggest and best surprises for the Astros thus far. I am thrilled that we dont have to rely on Jeff Blum as our everyday 3B guy. Ensberg is the future.... That is until one of the larger $$$ teams signs him Miller, Oswalt, Berkman, and Dotel to fatter contracts...... Get ready for that to happen folks.
Even if it happens (and I don't think it will for most of them), it won't happen for 2-3 more years. I'll get ready then.
