Delta Cleary Jr.: He batted .351 during a nine-game hitting streak to finish the regular season.
Last winter, then-Tulsa Drillers pitcher Parker Frazier was asked while attending a local baseball dinner for a scouting report on the team's new center fielder, Delta Cleary Jr.
"He'll catch everything," said Frazier, who played with Cleary at Single-A Modesto.
Frazier's report was right on target. If the Texas League awarded gold gloves for defensive excellence, Cleary would likely be a recipient this season. He committed only one error and made many web-gem caliber catches.
Cleary, however, struggled as a hitter for most of the year. As recently as Aug. 20, Cleary was at .184 and had been below .200 since May. It's hard to improve a batting average dramatically after 300 at-bats, but Cleary had a hot final two weeks of the regular season to raise his average to .207 in 116 games. He batted .351 during a nine-game hitting streak that he will carry into the Drillers' Texas League North Division playoff opener against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at ONEOK Field.
"It came at a late moment, but I'm glad it came," Cleary said about climbing above .200. "I wouldn't say it was a goal, but it was something to come out every day and push for.
"I made some adjustments. I tried not to focus too much about mechanics. It was just about going out there and competing and playing baseball."
Cleary, a switch-hitter who was moved to the leadoff spot, helped ignite the Drillers and end the regular season with four consecutive wins after winning only four of their previous 15 games.
"He's played exceptionally well," Drillers manager Kevin Riggs said. "He's really lifted us and really instrumental in what we've been doing. It's really nice to see him rebound like that.
"He's definitely been a different guy (in the last few weeks). Confidence is everything in this game and he's been playing with a lot of it right now."
Cleary, who is second on the Drillers (68-70) with 18 stolen bases, was a big factor in the final week of the Drillers' late surge to the first-half title with several clutch hits and defensive plays.
"I've seen him play at a very high level," said Riggs, who was Cleary's hitting coach for three other teams in the Colorado Rockies' system. "It was unfortunate he got off to the start that he did, and it was tough for him to get himself out of there. But it's not always how you start, but how you finish and he's done that, so a lot of credit to him and the staff."
Cleary, 24, who was born in Jonesboro, Ark., wears uniform No. 24, also worn by one of the greatest defensive center fielders of all time, Willie Mays. Cleary wears it to honor a deceased former teammate, Chris Reeves. Cleary also likes 24 because it was the number of his favorite major league player, Ken Griffey Jr.
Cleary and several of his Drillers teammates had some big playoff moments last year to help Modesto win two rounds and reach the California League finals.
"The playoffs are always something to shoot for," Cleary said. "As a team, this is what we work for and now it's here."
Riggs likes how his team is playing going into the playoffs. Arkansas (73-66) also is hot with eight consecutive wins.
"It's always important to end on a good note, and I think we did that down the stretch to gain some momentum going into the playoffs," Riggs said.
"Arkansas is a team we've played against all year long. There are no secrets. We know each other, It's all about which team is going to come out and perform the best."
TEXAS LEAGUE Playoffs
North Division
TULSA vs. ARKANSAS
Game 1: Wednesday, at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
Game 2: Thursday, at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
Game 3: Friday, at Arkansas, 7:10 p.m.
x-Game 4: Saturday, at Arkansas, 12:10 p.m.
x-Game 5: Sunday, at Arkansas, 2:10 p.m.
South Division
SAN ANTONIO vs. CORPUS CHRISTI
Game 1: Wednesday, at Corpus Christi, 7:05 p.m.
Game 2: Thursday, at Corpus Christi, 7:05 p.m.
Game 3: Friday, at San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.
x-Game 4: Saturday, at San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.
x-Game 5: Sunday, at Corpus Christi, 6:05 p.m.
x-if necessary
Barry Lewis 918-581-8393
barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Cleary, Tulsa ready for playoffs
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