Tony Sanchez is the top prospect in the Pirates' organization playing for this year's Curve team. He also might lead the team in tweets.
Altoona's starting catcher is an active member of the social media network known as Twitter, but he doesn't expect to cause an uproar similar to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall earlier this week.
"Our public relations guy Jimmy Trdinich harps on us guys with Twitter and social media," Sanchez said. "We know it can be good for us as far as building a fan base and letting people know what's going on, but he says we have to imagine ourselves on a podium speaking to everybody in the world."
Mendenhall sent several tweets out following the death of Osama bin Laden that have been criticized by both the fans and the Steelers' organization.
"I literally do picture myself speaking to the world," Sanchez said. "Whether it be curse words or what you're doing at night after games or where you're going and who you're with, you have to be careful of what you say, because people do read what you write."
Curve manager P.J. Forbes does not use Twitter and does not allow the use of it in the locker room.
"Once they are in the clubhouse there should be no more of it," Forbes said. "They should be done with it. What they discuss on there is monitored in Pittsburgh, and if there is an issue it will be brought to my attention, and I'll handle it."
Sanchez learned how dangerous Twitter can be early in his minor league career.
"Things can get out there quick, and I learned my lesson early in the Twitter game," Sanchez said. "I haven't made a mistake since then, so I'm learning."
The 22-year-old Sanchez got a little more specific on the mishap.
"I was at my cousin's house, and we were having a party," Sanchez said. "I tweeted about the party, and [Pirates director of player development] Kyle Stark got a hold of me. Not to go into detail, but you have kids following you, and you're a role model to these kids.
"They look up to you, and if they hear about you doing things that are responsible, but not for an 11- or 12-year-old, it doesn't look good."
