Cashman said: "We're getting a professional hitter who has been in every postseason but one since 1991.

"Carlos lets us stretch our lineup with another professional hitter, and also a switch-hitter".

She is the first woman to ever throw batting practice to professional hitters.

Dealing with professional hitters, that can get you killed.

"This is a good group of young professional hitters," he said.

"They are all professional hitters," Jeter said.

Tim Raines is still a professional hitter.

"He's been a very patient hitter and very professional hitter, which is what we expected him to be," Manuel said.

"They have a lot of professional hitters," a scout for a National League team said.

Baines, called a professional hitter by teammates and rivals, said he was looking for a pitch in that zone.