The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Philadelphia Phillies have announced a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract, maintaining the two clubs' affiliation through at least the 2016 season. The announcement was made by IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes and Phillies Asst. Director, Player Development, Steve Noworyta on Wednesday at Coca-Cola Park.

The four-year extension is the maximum permitted under the agreement between Major League and Minor League Baseball."This has been an exciting run for us here in the Lehigh Valley. The Phillies and IronPigs have a great relationship and we think it's something that is going to be special for a long, long time." said Noworyta.Added Landes: "We feel extremely fortunate to have such a strong affiliation with one of Major League Baseball's most successful franchises. There is no question that our relationship with the Phillies has played a significant role in our organization's overall success."Ten members of the Phillies current 25-man roster, including LHP Antonio Bastardo, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Kyle Kendrick, C Erik Kratz and OF John Mayberry, Jr., are among a collection of 50 players and one coach (Phillies hitting coach Greg Gross) that have made the leap from "The Pigs to the Bigs" since the IronPigs' inception in 2008. Already this season, the IronPigs have sent ten players to Philadelphia.The list of former Major League standouts that came through the Phillies' Triple-A affiliates prior to the IronPigs is extensive and is comprised of Hall of Famers 3B Mike Schmidt (1972, Eugene) and current IronPigs manager Ryne Sandberg (1981, Oklahoma City) as well as five-time Phillies' N.L. All-Star SS Larry Bowa and three-time Phillies' All-Stars 3B Richie Allen, C Bob Boone and C Darren Daulton among others.While the IronPigs all-time record is 318-355 (.473), their 54-43 record this season is the best in the International League's Northern Division and the 3rd-best in the entire circuit.