Posted by J.Y. Mortimer
June 27th, 2023
Honoring top high school and college baseball and softball catchers
The winners of the 2023 Johnny Bench Awards presented by MSA Sport, which honor the top NCAA Division I male and female college catchers along with the top high school baseball and softball catchers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia, have been announced.
“In our fifth year partnering with the Reds to expand this program, the decision to select these winners has never been more competitive,” said Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. “We look forward to celebrating the 2023 class of student-athletes at Great American Ball Park with their families and Reds fans.”
The ten winners will be honored on July 18 at the Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon at Great American Ball Park and recognized that evening during pregame ceremonies before the Reds vs. San Francisco Giants game, 7:10 p.m.
“The Reds are proud to join Johnny in celebrating the nation’s top college catchers, along with the best high school catchers from across Reds Country,” said Nick Krall, Reds Vice President and General Manager. “We hope receiving this prestigious recognition from the greatest catcher of all time will inspire these young athletes to continue developing their skills.”
2023 Johnny Bench Awards Winners
Top male NCAA baseball catcher
• Kyle Teel – University of Virginia
Top female NCAA softball catcher
• Kinzie Hansen – University of Oklahoma
Top high school catchers from Ohio
• Jordyn Wycuff – Watkins Memorial High School (softball)
• Mason Eckelman – Walsh Jesuit High School (baseball)
Top high school catchers from Kentucky
• Nora Mack – Lafayette High School (softball)
• Jonathan Fitz – Covington Catholic High School (baseball)
Top high school catchers from Indiana
• Ava Ratliff – Bedford North High School (softball)
• Grant Sawa – Center Grove High School (baseball)
Top high school catchers from West Virginia
• Amber Wolfe – Wahama High School (softball)
• Ty Galusky – Morgantown High School (baseball)
The 2023 Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, July 18 at Great American Ball Park. For information on table sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, please contact Garrett Combs at 513-765-7916 or gcombs@reds.com.
Previous collegiate winners include 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick Adley Rutschman, 2021 Team USA Olympian Dejah Mulipola, 2021 Reds first-round draft pick Matheu Nelson and 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove winner Jordyn Rudd.
The full list of previous winners can be found at www.reds.com/BenchAwards.
About the Johnny Bench Awards
The Cincinnati Reds and Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, along with the Reds Hall of Fame, are partnering for The Johnny Bench Awards presented by MSA Sport. The awards honor the best baseball and softball high school catchers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia as well as the top baseball and softball NCAA Division I catchers. A committee determines the finalists with support from local media, coaches’ associations and scouting organizations in each state. The winners are then hand-picked by Johnny and brought together to celebrate their achievements and meet “Baseball’s Greatest Catcher” at an awards banquet. The awards are permanently located at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum presented by Dinsmore at Great American Ball Park.
COURTESY REDS MEDIA RELATIONS & MLBpressbox.com
