Nationals renew player development contracts with Single-A Potomac and Single-A Hagerstown

The Washington Nationals announced the signing of two-year Player Development Contract extensions with the Single-A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League and the Single-A Hagerstown Suns of the South Atlantic League on Monday. The extensions, which begin in 2019, run 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 Potomac Nationals General Manager, Operations, Aaron Johnson and Potomac Nationals General Manager, Sales, Bryan Holland as well as Hagerstown Suns General Manager Travis Painter made the joint announcements.

"Potomac and Hagerstown are tremendous assets to our player development system," Rizzo said. "Their dedication to helping develop Major Leaguers and their assistance in rehabbing our injured players is second to none. We are happy to be able to continue working with each respective organization."

"We are excited to continue our relationship with Potomac and Hagerstown," Harris said. "These two organizations - and communities - are key cogs in the development of our young players. In addition, their proximity to Washington, D.C. allows us to utilize them as an asset in the rehabilitation process."

A Nationals affiliate since 2005, the Potomac Nationals claimed the 2018 Carolina League Northern Division First Half Championship and will open the Carolina League playoffs on Wednesday at the Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE).

"The renewal of our franchise's long-time, invaluable partnership with the Washington Nationals signifies that both of our clubs will continue to benefit and prosper from our player development agreement moving forward," said Potomac Nationals Chairman/CEO Art Silber. "It has been our pleasure and privilege to work with the Washington Nationals as a valued member of their Minor League system, and we take great pride in playing a role in the process of developing Washington's prospects into Big Leaguers."

The Nationals and Suns have been partners since 2007, making the upcoming 2019 season their 13^th season together.

"We're very excited to extend our PDC with the Washington Nationals," said Hagerstown Suns General Manager Travis Painter. "We've had a great relationship with the organization for over a decade and look forward to continuing that relationship for years to come."