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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.

Submit a Catcher

In Partnership with the Cincinnati Reds

Bench Awards

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.

Local Media Coverage

Gators on SI

Gamecock Central

Gamecock Central

Gators Softball Star Takes Home Major Award

SI.com

Gamecock Central

Gamecock Central

Gamecock Central

Cole Messina named consensus All-American, Johnny Bench Award winner

on3.com

Northwest Signal

Gamecock Central

Northwest Signal

Evergreen's Chamberlin wins Johnny Bench Award

northwestsignal.net

WV Gazette-Mail

Bellarmine Athletics

Northwest Signal

Prep baseball: Samuel wins Johnny Bench Award

wvgazette.com

Bellarmine Athletics

Bellarmine Athletics

Bellarmine Athletics

Softball incoming freshman named Johnny Bench Award Winner

bellarmine.edu

2019 High School Winner Drafted

JBA NEWS

Previous Winners

College Baseball

Brad Cresse, Louisiana State University - 2000

Kelly Shoppach, Baylor University - 2001

Jeremy Brown, University of Alabama - 2002

Ryan Garko, Stanford University - 2003

Kurt Suzuki, Cal State Fullerton, 2004

Jeff Clement, University of Southern California - 2005

Jake Smith, East Carolina University - 2006

Ed Easley, Mississippi State University - 2007

Buster Posey, Florida State University - 2008

J.T. Wise, University of Oklahoma - 2009

Bryan Holaday, Texas Christian University - 2010

Jake Lowery, James Madison University - 2011

Mike Zunino, University of Florida - 2012

Stuart Turner, University of Mississippi - 2013

Max Pentecost, Kennesaw State University - 2014

Garrett Stubbs, University of Southern California - 2015

Zack Collins, University of Miami - 2016

Matt Whatley, Oral Roberts University , 2017

Joey Bart, Georgia Tech University - 2018

Adley Rutschman, Oregon State University - 2019

Patrick Bailey, North Carolina State - 2020

Matheu Nelson, Florida State University - 2021

Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech University - 2022

Kyle Teel, University of Virginia - 2023

College Softball

Dejah Mulipola, University of Arizona - 2019

Morganne Flores, University of Washington - 2020

Kayla Kowalik, University of Kentucky - 2021

Jordyn Rudd, Northwestern University - 2022

Kinzie Hansen, University of Oklahoma - 2023

Indiana Baseball

Nate Webb, Union County High School - 2019

Dalton Back, Columbus East High School - 2020

Austin Bode, Columbus North High School - 2021

Oscar Pegg, Shakamak High School - 2022

Grant Sawa,  Center Grove High School - 2023

Indiana Softball

Grace Lorsung, Cathedral High School - 2019

Taryn Weddle, Floyd Central High School - 2020

Sarah Stone, Bedford North Lawrnce High School - 2021

Brenna Blume, Gibson Southern High School - 2022

Ava Ratliff,  Bedford North Lawrence High School - 2023

Kentucky Baseball

Colin Bugress, Tates Creek High School - 2019

Grant Knipp, Louisville Male High School - 2020

Matt  Klein, Trinity High School - 2021

Brody Williams, Lyon County High School   - 2022

Jonathan Fitz, Covington Catholic High School - 2023

Kentucky Softball

Riley Hull, Pulaski County High School - 2019

Taylor Jackson, Oldham County High School - 2020

Sydney Melton, Lyon County High School - 2021

Kayley Batts, Oldham County High School   - 2022

Nora Mack, Lafayette High School - 2023

Ohio Baseball

Joe Powell, Mason High School - 2019

Mason Sawyer, Bishop Hartley High School - 2020

Trey Pancake, South Range High School - 2021

Jimmy Nuggent, Badin High School - 2022

Mason Eckelman, Walsh Jesuit High School - 2023

Ohio Softball

Samantha Hackenbracht, Massillon Washington High School - 2019

Zoie Smith, Pickerington Central High School, 2020

Madison Jellison, Watkins Memorial High School - 2021

Myiah Cloud, Delaware Hayes High School, 2022

Jordyn Wycuff,  Watkins Memorial High School - 2023

West Virginia Baseball

Caleb Taylor, Morgantown High School - 2019

Eli Kirkendoll, Lincoln County High School -2020

Parker Redden, Shady Spring High School - 2021

Ethyn Barnitz, Wahama High School - 2022

Ty Galusky, Morgantown High School - 2023

West Virginia Softball

Sophia Mikula, Weir High School - 2019

Jess Canterbury, Herbert Hoover High School, 2020

Emily Faith Allen, Parkersburg High School - 2021

Josie Bird, Lincoln County High School - 2022

Amber Wolfe, Wahama High School - 2023

In 2019, the Johnny Bench Awards moved to partnering with the Cincinnati Reds and expanded their program beyond collegiate baseball.

*Italics represents players with MLB service time.

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