Nationals renew player development contract with Double-A Harrisburg

The Washington Nationals announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract extension with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on Tuesday. The extension, which begins in 2019, runs through the 2020 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President and Senior Advisor to the General Manager Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement along with Harrisburg Senators Team President Kevin Kulp.

The Nationals and Senators have been partners for each of the Nationals' 14 seasons and their relationship extends back to the organization's days as the Montreal Expos, making the upcoming 2018 season their 28th together.

"Dating back nearly 30 years - the Harrisburg Senators have been a valuable component of our player development system," Rizzo said. "From a baseball standpoint, City Island serves as a breeding ground for some of our organization's most talented players."

"We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with not only the Harrisburg Senators organization, but with the entire community of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania," Harris said. "They have shown tremendous dedication to helping groom our organization's next wave of Major League talent."

Approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C., the Double-A Eastern League affiliate has been a stop in the Major League progression of the homegrown talent that has been developed in Washington's Minor League system. In recent years, players such as Victor Robles, Wilmer Difo, and Anthony Rendon have been summoned directly from Double-A Harrisburg to join the big league club.

During their time with the Nationals/Expos, the Senators have been to the Eastern League finals nine times, and won five championship titles. Since the Nationals arrived in the District in 2005, the Senators have won the division twice, and have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.

"This is a really exciting day," Kulp said. "We are very excited to continue our partnership with the Nationals. They are a first class organization and are everything you'd ever want in a Major League Affiliate."