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Johnny Bench Awards 2023
About
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.
Nominate a Catcher
To nominate a high school catcher for the 2023 Johnny Bench Awards, click the link below. All nominated catchers will be asked for their complete statistics at the end of the season in May 2023.
About the award
2022 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.
2023 TOP College Catchers of the year
Kinzie Hansen - Softball
Senior, University of Oklahoma
As a sophomore, Kinzie was a Johnny Bench Awards finalist ranking fifth in the nation with 24 home runs and 21 Assists at catcher and first base. She has since gone to be a 2x All-American, 3x National Champion, maintained a .993 career fielding and .734 slugging percentages. She plans to return Oklahoma for her 5th year of eligibility.
Kyle Teel - Baseball
Junior, University of Virginia
The spirit of the Johnny Bench Award is players who exemplify catching excellence on both sides of the plate. As a unanimous All-American, Kyle led all finalists with 69 RBIs and a .673 Slugging Percentage with 47 Assists and a .995 Fielding Percentage. This balanced proficiency has earned him the Atlantic Coast Conference of the Year. He was drafted in the First Round by the Boston Red Sox.
2023 High School Softball Catchers
Jordyn Wycuff - Ohio
Junior, Watkins Memorial High School
The Licking County League Player of the Year posted a 1.759 OPS and 39% caught stealing percentage. Jordyn returned to the All-Ohio roster as a 1st team catcher, earned a nomination for USA Today Central Ohio Female Athlete of the Year and is committed to Ohio University.
Amber Wolfe- West Virginia
Senior, Wahama High School
As a varsity catcher, she has accomplished 3x First Team All-State honors, 3x State Champion, maintained a flawless fielding percentage and was second in the home runs across the state. She will continue her career at Division 1 Radford University.
Nora Mack- Kentucky
Senior, Lafayette High School
Garnering a 1.000 fielding percentage through nearly 300 putouts on one side of the plate, Nora also provided an offensive presence for her team; slugging .753 and placing in the Top 10 of most offensive categories. She is continuing her education at Arizona State.
Ava Ratliff - Indiana
Sophomore, Bedford North Lawrence High School
Ava has already been a 2x First Team All-State catcher, All-American and wasnamed the National Fastpitch Coaches Association High School Catcher of the Year. With 22 home runs and perfect fielding percentage, Ava is representing Indiana as an All-American.
2023 High School Baseball Catchers
Grant Sawa- Indiana
Senior, Center Grove High School
Grant is a 2x All-County Catcher and 3x County Champion who helped lead his team to the state champion of Indiana’s highest division in 2023. Ranked among the Top 50 baseball players in the state by Prep Baseball Report, and Top 5 at catching, Grant will be continuing his student athletic pursuits at Purdue Ft. Wayne.
Jonathan Fitz - Kentucky
Senior, Covington Catholic High School
First Team All-State catcher, NKAC and NKBCA Player of the Year and Baseball Senior All-Star Game MVP. Jonathan Fitz was considered the #1 Ranked catcher in Kentucky’s class of 2023and will be playing for the University of San Diego.
Ty Galusky - West Virginia
Senior, Morgantown High School
The 2023 Class of Johnny Bench Award winners lost their freshman season to COVID, and Ty Galusky lost more time to a torn UCL. Despite those adversities, he helped lead his team to the postseason from both sides of the plate as the First Team All-State Catcher. He will be attending Fort Scott Community College.
Mason Eckelman - Ohio
Senior, Walsh Jesuit High School
The All-Crown Conference MVP and Northeast Ohio Coaches Association Player of the Year. Mason is a 2x First Team All-State catcher and will continue to represent his home state at the Ohio State University.