HIGH-SCHOOL-SPORTS

Badin catcher Jimmy Nugent wins Ohio 2022 Johnny Bench Award

Cincinnati Enquirer

Taylor base runner Mark Snowden is tagged out at the plate by Badin catcher Jimmy Nugent in the game between Badin and Taylor high schools at Mason High School, June 2, 2022. Nugent is the 2022 Ohio high school winner of the Johnny Bench Award.

Ten winners have been announced for the 2022 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.

Ohio's winner is Badin High School's Jimmy Nugent, who will next play at Penn State. Nugent was first-team all-state for the Rams, a team that has been to the Division II state semifinals each of the past two seasons.

He hit .305 with three home runs, 35 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases.

More:OHSAA state baseball: Badin bows out in DII semi to defending champ Akron Hoban

More:Badin boys volleyball celebrates 1st state championship since 1996

“Congratulations to the Johnny Bench Awards Class of 2022,” Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench said. “At the college level, this group is led by two high-quality student-athletes, including a fellow Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, Jordyn Rudd. Our high school awards continue to become more competitive thanks to our growing relationship with regional coaches associations. I’m looking forward to honoring our winners at Great American Ball Park and hope the fans in Cincinnati will join us.”

The 10 winners will be honored July 26 at the Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon at Great American Ball Park and recognized that evening during pregame ceremonies before the 6:40 p.m. Reds vs. Miami Marlins game.

“Reds Country has a rich history of baseball and softball excellence at every level,” said Phil Castellini, Reds president and chief operating officer. “We are very grateful to Johnny for recognizing these individual athletes with this prestigious award bearing his name, the greatest catcher of all time.”

2022 Johnny Bench Awards Winners

Top male NCAA baseball catcher

• Kevin Parada – Georgia Tech

Top female NCAA softball catcher

• Jordyn Rudd – Northwestern University

Top high school catchers from Ohio

• Myaih Cloud – Hayes High School (softball)

Badin's Jimmy Nugent dives safely back to first base on a pick-off attempt by Archbishop Hoban pitcher in the seventh inning of the Division II state semifinal game at Canal Park in Akron on Friday, June 9, 2022.

• Jimmy Nugent – Badin High School (baseball)

Top high school catchers from Kentucky

• Kayley Batts – Oldham County High School (softball)

• Brody Williams – Lyon County High School (baseball)

Top high school catchers from Indiana

• Brenna Blume – Gibson Southern High School (softball)

• Oscar Pegg – Shakamak High School (baseball)

Top high school catchers from West Virginia

• Josie Bird – Lincoln County High School (softball)

• Ethyn Barnitz – Wahama High School (baseball)

Fans can attend the Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon July 26 at Great American Ball Park, featuring Johnny Bench and the award winners with their special guests. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and VIP table sales, please contact Erin Chamberlain at 513-765-7921 or echamberlain@reds.com.

Previous collegiate winners include 2012 National League MVP Buster Posey, 2019 World Series Champion Kurt Suzuki, 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick Adley Rutschman, 2021 Team USA Olympian Dejah Mulipola and 2021 Reds draft pick Matheu Nelson.

The full list of previous winners can be found at reds.com/BenchAwards.