[5] However, Skole collided with a runner on a fielding play at first base in the second game of his 2013 campaign with the Double–A Harrisburg Senators, falling to the ground and tearing his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon in his left elbow.

[9] He was not added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft that winter, but no team selected him and he remained with the Nationals organization.

[11] After hitting well in spring training, he got off to a slow start with Harrisburg but then went on an offensive tear in June and July,[6] earning a promotion to the Triple–A Syracuse Chiefs.

The Nationals added Skole to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season,[15] in which he hit 24 home runs as a Chief and won a minor league Gold Glove Award at first base.

[16] While on the minor league disabled list, Skole was designated from assignment and removed from the Nationals' 40-man roster on July 29, 2017, to clear space for newly acquired utilityman Howie Kendrick.

[17] He cleared waivers and was released by the Nationals,[18] but days later, he signed a new minor league contract with the organization and was assigned to the Auburn Doubledays.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo described him in 2012 as someone who "probably profiles as a left-handed power bat at first base".