Paxton, a supplemental first round pick in the 2009 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, joined the AirHogs for the 2010 season after leaving the University of Kentucky prior to his senior season. Paxton finished his junior season ranked 17th in the NCAA and fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 115 strikeouts. His 115 strikeouts ranked fifth all-time for single-season strikeouts at Kentucky. Paxton pitched 78.1 innings, allowing 83 hits and 51 earned runs, walking only 20 and finished ranked third in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings in 2009. 

Paxton had two career performances in 2009, striking out 12 of his first 13 outs at LSU.  In 2008, Paxton was named SEC Player of the Week (May 19, 2008) after throwing a complete-game shutout against Ole’ Miss in the SEC Tournament. Twice, Paxton was named to the SEC Academic Honor roll in ’08 and ’09 and was named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor roll in ’07.

Paxton is regarded as the top pitcher in college baseball (Baseball America) and is a candidate for a top-10 selection in the 2010 MLB Draft.