SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres announced today that they have extended their Player Development Contract with the Triple-A Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League through the 2014 season. Executive vice president/general manager, Josh Byrnes, made the announcement.

"We are glad to continue our relationship with Tucson," said Byrnes. "Triple-A is an important level in the development of a player and we value Tucson as a critical part of our developmental process."

The Tucson club recently wrapped up its second season as the Padres Triple-A affiliate. Including this season, San Diego has had a total of 18 players come through Tucson and make their Major League debut for the Padres.

"The Padres have been fortunate to have had a number of talented players come through Tucson over the last two years," said Padres vice president, player development and international scouting, Randy Smith. "We look forward to continuing to develop talented players to help the Major League team."

With today's announcement, the Padres have reached two-year extensions with each of their five Minor League affiliates this year, including the Double-A San Antonio Missions, the Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm, the Class A Fort Wayne TinCaps and the Class A Short-Season Eugene Emeralds.