Ramon

Nivar

Nivar, 23, isn’t expected to spend too much more time at Triple-A Oklahoma. He spent much of the season as a second baseman, and the Rangers want him to get more experience as a centerfielder. He’s hitting .333 for Oklahoma after hitting .347 at Frisco.

Nivar, who was batting .358 in 13 games for the Saguaros, apparently won’t return to the AFL, but he could play some winter ball in the Dominican Republic. 2002 first-round pick Drew Meyer replaced Nivar on Peoria’s roster and might see time in center field.

Nivar went 5-for-17 this spring, but the converted second baseman needs some time in Triple-A to work on his defense in center. By June or July, he could get a chance to push Laynce Nix to a corner. Dominguez, the team’s top pitching prospect, may also get his next opportunity right around then.

It’s a longshot. Nivar, the Rangers minor-leage player of the year, still needs to work on his defense. But he’s a viable option should Laynce Nix struggle.

The Rangers are not convinced Nivar’s left shoulder is 100 percent after he collided with the wall last week in Chicago. The Rangers used his absence to take a look at Laynce Nix against a lefty. Nivar is day-to-day.

Nivar is day-to-day.

Nivar has been a massive disappointment this year, batting just .270/.297/.376 in 82 games. He’s not going to be included in the Rangers’ plans for next year.

Nivar had been leading the Texas League with a .347 batting average and 110 hits. He takes the place of Ryan Ludwick at Oklahoma.

Nivar, who was just promoted to Triple-A last week, was the Texas League’s leading hitter at Double-A Frisco, where he hit .347 with nine homers, 37 RBI, 53 runs, 9/18 SB, and 23/20 K/BB. Nix, still at Frisco, is hitting .284 with 15 homers, 63 RBI, 52 runs, 9/11 SB, and 68/34 K/BB.

Nivar looked like a borderline choice to make the Rangers’ 40-man roster after a disappointing season, but he was kept over prospects like Drew Meyer and Marshall McDougall. Though he Rangers are no longer convinced he’s a future regular, he’ll probably be useful as a utilityman.