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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.
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.
2026 TOP College Catchers of the year
Kendall Wells - Softball
Freshman, University of Oklahoma
Hometown: Bogart, GA
As a freshman, Kendall Wells put together an elite rookie campaign being named the NFCA National Freshman of the Year, Diamond/NFCA Catcher of the Year, and SEC Freshman of the Year. The First-Team All-American anchored the Sooners' potent lineup and shattered the single-season home run records for NCAA freshmen, OU’s softball program and the SEC with a staggering 39 home runs. Wells matched a phenomenal offensive performance with 88 RBI while only allowing three stolen bases all season.
Vahn Lackey - Baseball
Junior, Georgia Tech
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
Rocketing up Major League Baseball’s draft boards as one of the country's most elite, versatile prospects, Vahn was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Rawlings Gold Glove finalist, and an 1stTeam, All-American by the ABCA, Baseball America and Perfect Game. Over 61 games, the explosive backstop anchored the Yellow Jackets' offense by slashing .397/.519/.772 with 20 home runs, 78 RBI, and 15 stolen bases, while showcasing rare athleticism making him a Top 10 draft pick.
2026 High School Softball Catchers
Olivia Masoner - West Virginia
Senior, University High School
Climbing the All-State ladder from freshman Honorable Mention to 2x Class AAAA First Team catcher, Masoner led her team to their first conference championship with a school record in doubles. The durable senior batted .323 with 31 hits, 27 RBIs in 35 games with a perfect fielding percentage. She will be attending Tusculum University.
Alvia Cooper - Kentucky
Senior, Bullitt East High School
“Catcher every ball” is Johnny’s motto and Alvia accomplished that with zero errors or passed ball in her senior season and a career .995 fielding percentage in 121 varsity games. Her senior season was exceptional, hitting .485 with a 1.499 OPS while driving in 30 runs and blasting 8 home runs. The 3A All-Kentucky catcher will be playing at Troy University.
Jayden Stephens - Indiana
Senior, Edgewood High School
With a 1.000 fielding percentage, +1.000 OPS, 0 passed balls and 35 RBIs on 38 hits, Jayden showcased a balanced contribution to her team on both sides of the plate. Her consistency defense and improved offense earned the attention of Purdue university, where she will be playing next season.
Brenna Fyffe - Ohio
Senior, Kenton Ridge High School
Committed to Ohio University, Brenna powered her team to an OHSAA state championship appearance while earning CBC Trail Division Player of the Year and First-Team All-Ohio honors. Her 19 regular season HRs, 53 RBIs, flawless 1.000 fielding and zero passed balls proved why this consistent JBA finalist captured the award in her senior season.
2026 High School Baseball Catchers
Camden Tiemeier - Kentucky
Senior, Campbell County High School
A 2x All-Conference & 2x All District Tournament catcher, Camden’s dedication showed on the field both on and off the field. The Campbell County Gold Glove winner shares his skills as a volunteer coach with Inner City Knothole and catching coach for travel ball teams while maintaining National Honor Society status. He will be playing at Morehead State.
Zaden Ranson
Senior, Charleston Catholic High School
This standout team player drove in 48 RBIs on his way to a third consecutive Class AA All-State first-team selection. Having won a state championship in 3 sports with his school, Zaden was honored by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association with the Hardman Award as the state’s top amateur athlete. He will be attending the Deerfield Academy.
Lucas Flack - Ohio
Senior, Delaware Hayes High School
As the reliable varsity cornerstone, Flack was lauded by his coaches and umpires alike for his exceptional maturity, work ethic, and consistency. The durable backstop caught nearly every single game for three years and slugged .744 while fielding .990 his senior season. He earned OHSBCA All-Ohio recognition and is committed to Thomas More University.
Sean Dunlap - Indiana
Senior, Crown Point High School
Prep Baseball’s #1 backstop in Indiana and Tennessee commit Sean Dunlap capped off his senior campaign with All-American honors and an MLB Draft Combine invitation. The top-50 recruit, boasts a 109.8 mph exit velocity with a 1.75-second pop time that led to throwing out 55% of baserunners and leading the nation in homeruns by a catcher.