Garry Bakker will forever be known as the first-ever Lake County Fielder.

The 2010 Northern League expansion franchise selected 12 players in the league’s dispersal draft on Thursday, including Bakker with its first-round pick.

“The dispersal draft is a great thing to get the Lake County Fielders off and running,” Fielders’ field manager Fran Riordan said in a statement. “We feel we selected 12 players that have the ability to make an immediate impact on our ballclub.”

Bakker, originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 11th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, led Fargo-Moorhead (N.D.) to the Northern League championship this season. The right-hander recorded seven wins in each of the past two seasons with the Redhawks.

Bakker was one of seven pitchers (all right-handed) chosen by the Fielders.

“He’s potentially a legitimate number one starter in the Northern League,” Riordan said. “His experience and past success should be a great asset.”

Former Joliet (Ill.) catcher Chris Lopez was the team’s second-round pick, followed by infielder Jeff Helps of Kansas City in the third round and first baseman Cody Ehlers of Winnipeg in the fourth round.

Rounding out the team’s selections were former Gary catcher Anthony Esquer, Schaumburg outfielder Jeff Dunbar, Fargo pitcher Matt Mossey, Joliet pitcher Chad Blackwell, Kansas City pitcher Dustin Bolton, Winnipeg pitcher Chris Homer, Gary pitcher Brett Wallace and Schaumburg pitcher Kris Jittits.

The Fielders, owned in part by actor Kevin Costner, are expected to begin play in Zion, Ill., next June.