ITW: How would you describe Malcolm Crowley?
Javier Solis: He is a hard nosed player. It would be great to have 9 kids like him. The best way to describe the way he plays is to compare him to Pete Rose.
ITW: He is in Sarasota now, so I am guessing he has signed already?
Javier Solis: He signed Saturday. He is not going to Sam Houston State.
ITW: What is his best position?
Javier Solis: He played shortstop here and he was an offensive shortstop. He can play second base as well, but he was our shortstop.
ITW: What is the best part of his game?
Javier Solis: He is an all around player who hits a bit, runs well, has average speed but plays very hard. He is a good hard worker who plays the game hard.
ITW: Are you familiar with Brandon Fahey, another kid from Texas who plays in the Orioles system? Is Malcolm a comparable player?
Javier Solis: Yes, he is a very similar player.
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ITW: It looks like your primary position is shortstop. However, it seems you could play second base or left field. Which position are you most comfortable playing?
Malcolm Crowley: Most comfortable playing shortstop. It is my natural position.
ITW: Have the Orioles told you yet what position you will be playing and which team you will be assigned to?
Malcolm Crowley: They have not assigned me to a team yet, I should learn that on Friday. The Orioles have told me they want me to play twice a week at second base to make me a more versatile player.
ITW: What is the biggest part of your game? Speed, defense, hitting?
Malcolm Crowley: Hitting, hustling, I see the ball well and can put it into play. I feel that if I work hard and hustle, that will be my key to success.
ITW: You have signed a letter of intent to play for Sam Houston State. What influenced your decision to turn pro?
Malcolm Crowley: I did not want to pass up the opportunity to turn pro. It has been a dream of mine since I was small. The Orioles drafted me pretty high and I did not want to risk a career ending injury before I had the chance to play professionally. This is the dream of a lifetime for me.
ITW: You share the same last name as the Orioles hitting coach, Terry Crowley, any relation there?
Malcolm Crowley: I have been asked that question many times….he is no relation to me.
ITW: How is camp going for you? What are working on?
Malcolm Crowley: We work on conditioning and do a lot of hitting. Lots of repetition work on defense.
ITW: Which professional team did you follow growing up?
Malcolm Crowley: The hometown team, Houston Astros. I admired Craig Biggio when I was growing up.
ITW: How does it feel being drafted by a major league team?
Malcolm Crowley: It feels great. It is a dream come true for me. I signed Saturday and flew into camp Sunday night. The Orioles have been great to me.
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