Who are the top 10 Pittsburgh sports athletes

right now?By counting only the present, such notables as Sidney Crosby, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Ray Graham are excluded from the following list because injuries have either sidelined them or knocked them down a peg.So here are my selections for the top 10, based on athleticism and productivity:•

1. Evgeni Malkin. This guy has earned the top spot with his play in the absence of Crosby. Now totally recovered from his knee surgery of last year, Malkin has tallied 34 points in the 21 games the Penguins have played since Crosby went on the shelf again.Malkin is also the NHL’s leading scorer at the all-star break in what may be the most athletic sport out there.• 2.

Troy Polamalu. When healthy — and he was for the most part this past season — he is the mot explosive player on defense anywhere in football.•

3. Antonio Brown. There’s something to be said for breaking the Steelers’ single-season all-purpose yardage record. This guy’s dual threat as a receiver and punt returner remind one of Louis Lipps.•

4. Andrew McCutchen. He is as exciting a center fielder as there is in baseball, can steal bases and hit for power. The Pirates had better plan on locking him up soon.•

5. Kris Letang. A welcome return from a concussion, this quick-skating defenseman made the NHL All-Star Game despite missing much of the first half. He can guard the blue line with the best of them and can produce highlight reel goals at the same time.•

6. Mike Wallace. Perhaps the fastest receiver in the NFL right now and is certainly the league’s most lethal deep threat.•

7. Marc-Andre Fleury. Check out the three saves he made in overtime against St. Louis this past week? NHL goalies are extremely athletic and Fleury is among the most flashy.•

8. Ben Roethlisberger. He’s low on this list because of that ankle, but still warrants being here. Big Ben can buy time in the pocket, deliver the football and run for the yardage when needed.•

9.

Ashton Gibbs. Yes, he’s been a bit of a disappointment this season, but the Pitt guard is showing signs of coming alive. He wasn’t named Big East Player of the Year in the preseason for nothing.•

10. Andrew Taglianetti. Pitt’s football team under-achieved in 2011, but Taglianetti was not among the under-achievers. He excels at blocking kicks and was one of Pitt’s biggest playmakers defensively from his safety position.•

Just missing — Jose Tabata, Ike Taylor, James Neal, T.J. McConnell and Neil Walker.Any list such as this one is subject to debate. If every Pittsburgh athlete was healthy, this list would be different.Some Pittsburgh teams’ seasons would be different as well.John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle