Pirates Prospects launched in January 2009 under the name B.U.C.C.O. Fans.com. At the time, site owner Tim Williams was working with AccuScore.com, providing content to various national media outlets, including ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. Pirates Prospects was started to focus on the rebuilding efforts by the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a specific focus on the draft and the minor league system.
The original site name, B.U.C.C.O. Fans.com, included an acronym which stood for “Bring Us a Championship-Caliber Organization”, which was in the theme of following the Pirates’ rebuilding process. In July 2010, BUCCO Fans became Pirates Prospects, making the complete transition to a media outlet with the focus on the farm system of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pirates Prospects has been credentialed with over a dozen teams at the major league, minor league, and college levels, including everyone in the Pittsburgh system from the Pittsburgh Pirates all the way down to the GCL Pirates. The site often is a source for breaking minor league news, and broke seven draft pick signings in 2010, more than any other outlet.
Pirates Prospects released two books prior to the 2011 season. The 2011 Prospect Guide covered every player in the farm system, while the 2011 Annual covered the major league team. Both books will return with 2012 editions, prior to the 2012 season.
