Junior second baseman Chris Bisson became the first University of Kentucky player selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft when the San Diego Padres chose him in the fourth round on Tuesday.

Bisson, a native of Orleans, Ontario, was the 124th overall pick.

Kentucky has now had at least one player drafted in the top five rounds in three consecutive seasons.

Eight picks after Bisson, the Seattle Mariners drafted former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton, also in the fourth round.

The 50-round draft began with Monday night's first round. Rounds 2-30 were scheduled Tuesday, with rounds 31-50 on Wednesday.

Bisson was an All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection the past two seasons.

In 51 games and 50 starts in 2010, Bisson batted .329 with 12 doubles, one triple, five homers and 35 RBI, stealing an SEC-leading 32 bases in 39 attempts.

Paxton, a native of Ladner, British Columbia, was drafted in the first round in 2009 by Toronto but did not sign with the Blue Jays and planned to return for his senior season at Kentucky.

However, UK refused to let Paxton rejoin the team unless he agreed to an interview with the NCAA concerning his eligibility and his dealings with the Blue Jays. Paxton sued UK, then ultimately chose to skip his senior season and prepare for the draft playing for an independent minor-league team in Texas.

In three years at UK, Paxton started 24 games and appeared in 55, posting a 5-3 record and a 4.91 ERA.

Later Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins chose UK junior left-hander Logan Darnell in the sixth round and junior outfielder Lance Ray in the eighth round.