John Burks Named General Manager of the Aberdeen IronBirds
MLBDL Aberdeen IronBirds

John Burks Named General Manager of the Aberdeen IronBirds

Published on September 4, 2025 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


ABERDEEN, MD - The Aberdeen IronBirds today announced the appointment of John Burks as the team's new General Manager, effective immediately.

Burks previously served as the IronBirds Director of Corporate Partnerships, where he played a key role in strengthening community engagement and enhancing fan experience. His promotion to General Manager comes at a transformative moment for the organization, as the IronBirds prepare to join the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft League in 2026.

"We are thrilled to promote John to lead the IronBirds front office," said Greg Baroni, CEO and Managing Partner of Attain Sports. "His passion for the game, leadership, and commitment to creating memorable moments at the ballpark align well with our mission to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment and the spirit of America's pastime for generations to come."

As a Draft League team, the Aberdeen IronBirds will play from June through the first week of September, a structure that mirrors its history as a Class-A Short Season team in the New York-Penn League from 2002 until 2020. This transition enables the IronBirds and Ripken Stadium to build on their strong legacy of player development, while continuing to give fans a front-row seat to the game's rising stars. Attain Sports is pleased to continue hosting professional baseball in Aberdeen and is excited to bring the Draft League to this storied baseball community starting in the 2026 season. ‚

Since its inception, the MLB Draft League has helped launch more than 400 players into professional baseball, including 81 players selected in the 2025 MLB Draft alone, 12 of whom played for the Frederick Keys-further underscoring the League's growing influence and the remarkable opportunity it provides for players and fans alike.

"I'm honored to step into this role and excited to build on the strong foundation already in place," said John Burks, incoming General Manager of the Aberdeen IronBirds. "Aberdeen has a rich baseball tradition, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our talented staff, loyal fans, and valued partners to create a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone who walks through our gates."

"We are deeply grateful to Scott Proefrock for his outstanding leadership as Interim General Manager for the Aberdeen IronBirds during the 2025 season," added Baroni. "His extensive background in both Major and Minor League Baseball, commitment to our fans, and tireless work behind the scenes have left a lasting, positive impact on our organization. We thank him for his service and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors."

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