Vahn Lackey, a junior catcher from Suwanee, Georgia, has been named the 2026 Johnny Bench Award winner, recognizing him as the nation’s most outstanding collegiate catcher in Division I.
A Season of Excellence
The accolade coincides with his selection as the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, underscoring his dual impact on both sides of the ball.
During a 61‑game campaign, Lackey posted a .397 batting average, a .519 on‑base percentage and a .772 slugging percentage, while driving in 78 runs and launching 20 home runs.
His defensive contributions were equally impressive, as he caught six would‑be base stealers and recorded five back‑pick outs, helping the Yellow Jackets claim the ACC ERA title with a 4.36 team ERA.
His performance places him second nationally in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 5.66 and has been credited with guiding one of the most potent offenses of the BBCOR era.
Georgia Tech’s triumph marks the first program to produce three Johnny Bench Award recipients, joining alumni such as Joey Bart and Kevin Parada in the program’s catching lineage.
The achievement also reflects the influence of coaching legends like Mark Teixeira and former pitcher Drew Burres, whose careers have helped shape the Yellow Jackets’ rich baseball tradition.