Welcome to The Official Website of Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench Awards
About
For two decades, the Johnny Bench Award was presented to college baseball’s top NCAA Division I catcher. Now hosted by the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, the program has expanded to 10 categories.
The award now includes a top college softball winner, as well as regional, "Reds Country", high school baseball and softball honorees from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. All winner are recognized during a ceremony that takes place each year in July at Great American Ball Park.
Candidates are assembled from direct online submissions, All-State rosters and state athletic association recommendations. An awards committee determines a group of finalists based on statistics and support from local sources from each state. Johnny hand picks the winners.
Nominate a Catcher
To nominate a high school catcher for the Johnny Bench Awards, click the link below.
About the award
2025 Awards Presented by MSA Sport
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, MSA Sport.
MSA Design's passion for sports blends with thier love of architecture. The result: they've never missed an Opening Day-not a client’s, nor their favorite teams’. As avid sports fans, MSA’s passion for sports is what fuels their designs and overall growth within the MSA Sport division. The focus: enhancing the player and the fan experience. Since 1997, MSA Sport specializes in sports facilities design, stadium enhancement and fan engagement, while remaining a national leader in planning and designing of athletic facilities. Through novelty and technology they craft unique brand identities at the professional, collegiate, community recreation, and high school level.
2025 TOP College Catchers of the year
Reese Atwood - Softball
Junior, University of Texas
Her two elite seasons in NCAA Division 1 softball have been crowned by winning the College World Series Championship. As a 2x First Team All-American for Softball America, National Fastpitch Catchers Association and D1Softball, she has also been recognized a the NFCA Catcher of the Year and gained recognition for skills behind the plate being selected for the SEC All-Defense team. She is majoring in Communications & Leadership at Texas.
Caden Bodine - Baseball
Junior, Coastal Carolina University
The 2025 Sun Belt All-Conference catcher was named to both the Perfect Game and NCBWA All-American rosters following a season that helped lead Coastal Carolina University to the College World Series. In his final season, he recorded only 1 error in 620 chances to increase his collegiate career fielding percentage to .995. He was drafted in the 1st Round of the 2025 MLB Draft to the Baltimore Orioles.
2025 High School Softball Catchers
Caleigh Shaulis - Ohio
Senior, Walsh Jesuit High School
A 2x All-Ohio catcher for Walsh Jesuit High School. With a flawless fielding percentage and 1.119 Slugging Percentage, she capped off her career with a 4-peat District Championship. She will play for Kent State next season.
Emersyn Ramage- Kentucky
Senior, Livingston Central High School
As an All-Kentucky catcher from Livingston Central High School, Emersyn thrived on both sides of the plate, recording zero errors in over 300 chances while also driving in 33 runs in 32 games played. She will be attending Murray State University next year.
Olivia Young - Indiana
Senior, Jasper High School
As a 3x All-State catcher for Jasper High School, Olivia Young has competed on this award’s radar throughout her career. She finished as the conference Player of the Year with a perfect fielding performance and strong contribution on offense. She will go to Notre Dame next year.
Tayler Likens - West Virginia
Senior, Frankfort High School
Landed on the All-State roster in each season during her career at Frankfort High School, as a Second Team catcher in her freshman season and three times as a First Team catcher in each following season. She is committed to playing at Kent State.
2025 High School Baseball Catchers
Byrson McNew- West Virginia
Sophomore, Preston High School
In his first two seasons at Preston High School, Bryson is already a 2x All-West Virginia catcher. With a 2.148 OPS and 1.000 Fielding Percentage, he helped lead his team to Class AAAA regional finals.
Johnnie Ankenbruck - Indiana
Senior, Homestead High School
An IHSBCA selection and Indiana North All Star from Homestead High School. Johnnie provided a well-rounded season with a .993 across 300 chances with 30 hits in 30 games. He will be playing for Huntington University next season.
Owen Jenkins - Kentucky
Senior, Lexington Catholic High School
A 2x All-Kentucky selection from Lexington Catholic High School, Owen is a Top 10 nationally ranked catcher by Prep Baseball Report, thriving on both sides of the plate with .500+ Batting Average and .990+ Fielding Percentage. He is committed to play at the University of Kentucky.
Jace Schrock - Ohio
Senior, Jonathan Alder High School
Jace battled family adversity to achieve catching excellence as a 1stTeam All-Ohio selection for Jonathan Adler High School. He maintained a .992 Fielding Percentage with an OBP of .600 and drove in 34 runs in 26 games. He is committed to Taylor University.