Nationals sign two-year working agreement with Single-A Potomac

The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Potomac Nationals of the Single-A Carolina League through the 2016 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement. "We are very pleased to extend our working relationship with the Potomac Nationals for another two years," Rizzo said. "What we value in Potomac goes well beyond the obvious proximity and mutual fans that our clubs share. Josh Olerud and his staff have done a tremendous job over the past few years enhancing the Carolina League experience for our players and staff." "Being a part of the Washington Nationals farm system from their inception has been a special partnership for the Potomac Nationals," said Potomac Nationals Vice President and General Manager, Josh Olerud. "We are privileged to maintain our relationship with Washington within this talent-rich chain that continues to produce quality Major League players. We could not be more pleased as an organization to extend this invaluable affiliation for another two years." A Nationals affiliate since 2005, the Potomac Nationals are 625-553 (.531) since aligning with the Nationals, including two consecutive appearances in the Carolina League Mills Cup Championship Series. The P-Nats have reached the playoffs five times in the last seven years and won the Mills Cup in 2008 and 2010. Since 2005, the top talents in Washington's chain have passed through Woodbridge, Va., en route to the big leagues, including Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Jeff Kobernus, Sandy Leon, Tyler Moore, Anthony Rendon, Steven Souza Jr., Craig Stammen, Drew Storen, Michael Taylor, and Jordan Zimmermann, among others. The Potomac Nationals joined the Carolina League in 1978. They reside in the Carolina League's four-team Northern Division with Frederick, Lynchburg and Wilmington. The Nationals' Single-A affiliate plays its games at Pfitzner Stadium, which is located just 30 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.