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
2024 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.
2024 TOP College Catchers of the year
Jocelyn Erickson - Softball
Sophomore, University of Florida
Following an All-American high school career, Jocelyn served as a utility player for the 2023 National Championship team alongside our previous college softball winner, Kinzie Hansen. She knew she had more to prove when she transferred to Florida and followed through by sweeping every honor at the catching position as 1st Team All-American, Rawling Gold Glove recipient, Softball American Defender of the Year and Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year.
Cole Messina - Baseball
Junior, University of South Carolina
For two years, Cole has been at the top of catcher conversations across college baseball as a 2x All-American by every voting publication. He enters the 2024 MLB Draft with a career high 1.116 OPS, leading most every offensive category among SEC catchers, while maintaining a .990 Fielding Percentage. At South Carolina, he succeeded 2019 Johnny Bench Award Kentucky High School winner, Colin Burgess, and demonstrated excellence on both sides of the plate.
2024 High School Softball Catchers
Macy Chamberlin - Ohio
Senior, Evergreen High School
Macy spent every inning for the past two seasons behind the plate, completing her high school career as the 3x Northwest Ohio Athletic League Player of the Year and 3x 1st Team All-Ohio catcher. Recognized as the top catcher in the region by NFCA, she will play for Penn State.
Reaghan Oney - Kentucky
Senior, Montgomery County High School
The 2024 Kentucky Miss Softball and Region 10 Player of the Year garnered a near perfect catching performance with just one error in 200+ fielding chances while offensively producing a 1.987 OPS, 76 RBI and 79 runs scored. She will play softball at Troy University next season.
Riley Zache - Indiana
Senior, South Bend St. Joseph High School
As a SCAI All Star and Miss Softball Finalist, Riley averaged 30 assists and over 300 fielding chances as a varsity catcher. She put up a +1.590 OPS in 3 seasons, striking out just once in her senior year. The 2x First Team All-Indiana catcher finished strong on her way to Oklahoma.
Lauren Guthrie - West Virginia
Senior, Sherman High School
Excelling on both sides of the plate, Lauren’s .992 Fielding Percentage and 1.131 slugging percentage earned her recognition as an All Star and promoted her from two seasons on the 2nd Team All-State roster to the 2024 1st Team catcher. She will play for Bellarmine University.
2024 High School Baseball Catchers
Luke Samuel - West Virginia
Senior, Cabell Midland High School
During his time as the starting catcher, Luke led his team to back-to-back state championships. In his senior season, he served as the team captain with a perfect fielding percentage, National Honor Society commendation and 1st Team All-State recognition.
Chance Furnish - Kentucky
Senior, Rowan County High School
Across the state of Kentucky, Chance finished in the Top 10 of most every offensive category and holds the school record for career RBI. Behind the plate he allowed zero passed balls and caught stealing over 40% of base runners. Next season he will be playing at Winthrop University.
Caden Sheridan - Ohio
Senior, Sheridan High School
The 2x Muskingum Valley Player of the Year capped off his high school career with back-to-back 1st Team All-Ohio selections. Caden holds multiple school and state hitting records while he improved to a .990 Fielding Percentage. He is committed to Morehead State University
Hogan Denny - Indiana
Senior, Mooresville High School
Much like this award’s namesake, Hogan succeeded both as a premium catcher and serviceable pitcher for his team. The 2024 Indiana High Schol Coaches Association "Player Of The Year", NHSBCA 1st Team All American will play for the University of Indiana.