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The Johnny Bench Awards
Honoring the top overall Collegiate Baseball & Softball catchers in the country, as well as the top high school catchers from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
About the award
2021 Awards Presented by MSA Sport
For two decades, the Johnny Bench Award was presented to college baseball’s top NCAA Division I catcher. The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission created the award in 2000, and in 2019 was brought by Johnny to the Cincinnati Reds for an expanded program.
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 in the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Candidates are assembled from direct online submissions, All-State rosters, other award nominations 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 winner.
This past year, all ten winners were invited to virtually receive their award the evening of June 24, 2020. The awards are presented by MSA Sport and Ohio’s 529 Plan CollegeAdvantage.
2021 TOP College Catchers of the year
Kayla Kowalik, Kentucky - Softball
The 1st University of Kentucky softball player to win the division 1 College Batting Champion, Kayla lead the league in batting average among qualifiers while recording 100 hits and a record hitting steak. She was named to Softball America and National Fastpitch Coaches Association 1st team All-American and was a USA Softball Player of the Year finalist.
Matheu Nelson, Florida State - Baseball
Shortly after his selection to this award, he joined Johnny Bench in the ranks of Cincinnati Reds catchers after being draft by them in the first round. Matheu was selected as a 1st team All-American by several organizations, including Baseball America and the NCBWA. He was named a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards, as well as ACC and Rawlings/Perfect Game Player of the Year.
2021 High School Softball Catchers
Madison Jellison - Ohio
Watkins Memorial High School
· Division 1 First Team All-State Catcher
· Central District All Star
· All-Metro Player of the Year
· Committed to University of Toledo
Sydney Melton - Kentucky
Lyon County High School
· An East-West State All Star
· A 1st team All-State catcher
· Set a school home run record this past season
· Committed to Southeast Missouri State
Sarah Stone- Indiana
Bedford North High School
· 3 Time All State Catcher
· Miss Softball Finalist
· National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America
· Committed to University of Kentucky
Emily Allen - West Virginia
Parkersburg High School
· 3x First Team All-State Catcher
· Premier Girls Fastpitch Regional All-American Finalist
· Conference Player of the Year
· Committed to North Carolina State University
2021 High School Baseball Catchers
Trey Pancake- Ohio
South Range High School
· D3 First Team All-State Catcher
· First Team All Prep Baseball Report Team
· 2021 PBR Position Player of the Year
· Committed to THE Ohio State University
Matt Klein - Kentucky
Trinity High School
· All-State Catcher and Academic All-State Athlete
· 2021 KY State Champion
· East Coast Pro Showcase Team
· Committed to University of Louisville
Austin Bode - Indiana
Columbus North High School
· 3x All Conference Catcher
· 2021 All State Catcher
· Prep Baseball Report’s #32 Catcher in the Country
· Committed to University of Louisville
Parker Redden - West Virginia
Shady Spring High School
· First Team All-State Catcher
· US Elite National Team
· All Coalfield Conference Catcher
· Committed to the University of Delaware
Selection Process & Deadlines
Watch List - Beginning of February
Starting February 1, 2022, the Johnny Bench Awards will be accepting candidates for the Johnny Bench Awards to be added to the watch list. Catchers are also added based on scouting recommendations and published rankings.
Stat Collection - End of May
All watch list candidates will be asked for their regular season statistics. Players will then be narrowed down by statistical qualifiers.
Finalists - Mid June
With the support of state coaching associations and other sources, we begin to narrow qualified catchers to a group of 3-5 finalists. Finalists will have played the majority of their games at the catching position.
Awards Banquet - Mid July
Johnny uses statistics, awards and scouting video to hand pick the award recipients. Winners are hosted in Cincinnati by the Reds organization for an awards banquet benefiting the Reds Community Fund and Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund. Announcement of winners varies depending on stat collection and event timing.
Golf Merchandise
Get official Johnny Bench Golf Classic merchandise, on sale now. All proceeds benefit Believers Academy and special education needs.