Appy notes: Rays' Bivens showing growth

For Princeton Rays right-hander Blake Bivens, there's all sorts of improvements to monitor. Most of those come on the mound, though the 19-year-old's mustache seems to be a work in progress and a topic among his teammates as well.

"It's taking all year to grow that thing," Princeton manager Danny Sheaffer said.

But more importantly, Bivens has shown steady strides across a team-high eight starting assignments this season, when at times he has been one of the main attractions.

"I feel I'm more comfortable throwing to professional hitters," Bivens said, noting his progress from his initial professional season last summer. "I feel good. The more you face them, the more comfortable you get."

Sheaffer said there are reasons to be impressed with how Bivens has gone about the season. He has thrown at least four innings in each start.

"I saw some progress from extended [spring training] to now," Sheaffer said.

Bivens, who was headed to play collegiately for Liberty University in Virginia until the Tampa Bay Rays made him a fourth-round selection in 2014, is from the southern Virginia town of Sutherlin, which is close to Danville. But he hasn't pitched in that city, where he would be a clear fan-favorite. That hasn't stopped his supporters from finding him with relatively convenient trips to Pulaski, Virginia, and Burlington, North Carolina.

"He has some people in the stands," Sheaffer said, referring to several of Bivens' outings.

He pitched in front of more than 3,300 on a recent Saturday night in Burlington, leaving with a no-decision in a game the Rays won. Perhaps only a couple of dozen spectators were there specifically to see him in what became a career-long six-inning stint, but Bivens figured it was a noteworthy situation.

"That's the biggest crowd I've ever pitched in front of," Bivens said. "It doesn't really change much."

Yet the longer outings have been a source of encouragement.

"Another step, something I get used to," he said. "I'm starting to know how to get through a game and not getting too deep into counts."

Those are reasons Bivens has become a staple in Princeton's rotation.

"He has answered the call," Sheaffer said. "He's developing into more of a pitcher than a thrower."

Bivens has shown an improved knack for working out of trouble spots.

"You've got to figure out ways to get out of those," Sheaffer said. "When he takes the ball, we have a chance to win."

Bivens said he hasn't set any notable goals -- the mustache issue aside -- other than to show steady improvement.

"And stay healthy," he said. "You can't get better if you're in the training room."

In brief

All or nothing: The Pulaski Yankees have been the league's top team for homers and runs scored, but there have been glitches at times for the Yankees -- losses coming by shutout. Those include blankings in five of their first 19 setbacks. Don't blame outfielder Carlos Vidal, who has ranked in the top 10 in the league in batting average, home runs and RBIs.

Just the right tonic: Burlington's Brandon Thomasson went on an offensive surge upon returning to the lineup after missing nearly a week because of a shoulder injury sustained while making a catch in right field and crashing into the fence. He went 7-for-20 with five extra-base hits and six RBIs in the next five games. "I thought I was going to be out a couple of weeks," Thomasson said. "Any movement hurt. It's getting a lot better."

Power source: First baseman Jeff Campbell of the Danville Braves was the College Home Run Derby champion earlier this summer before joining the pro ranks. The long balls have been tougher to come by for the University of North Dakota product as his power production was limited to four doubles across his first 50 at-bats in the Appalachian League.