Born in Florence, South Carolina, Batchelor played college baseball for the USC Aiken Pacers of his home state. Initially drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1988 MLB draft, he did not sign with the team. He was later selected by the New York Yankees in the 1989 MLB draft, and signed with them.
Batchelor began his professional career in 1990, with the Class A Greensboro Hornets. He advanced through the Yankees' farm system, first reaching the Triple-A level in 1993 with the Columbus Clippers. That season, at the end of August, Batchelor was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Lee Smith.
Batchelor made his MLB debut with the Cardinals on September 3, 1993. He pitched in nine games with the team through the end of the season, striking out four batters in 10 innings pitched while compiling an 8.10 earned run average (ERA).

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