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Bryce Harper? Alex Ovechkin? Who’s D.C.’s most ‘powerful’ athlete?

Noah Frank | nfrank@wtop.com

April 8, 2016, 1:33 AM

WASHINGTON — Last year, I thought it would be fun to look at the professional athletes from around the Big Five professional sports in the District (yes, you too, Landover) and try to rank them based on a number of factors both inside and outside the lines. The results were in some ways predictable, and in some ways surprising. A few of those on last year’s list — RG3, Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann — have moved on. Others have moved up at different rates. I noted at the time that Bryce Harper, who was sixth last year, clearly had the most upward mobility, but how far could he rise in a single year? And who would be the newcomers to the fold? (AP Photos)
AP Photos
Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth points to the Nationals dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting the game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Washington. Washington won 2-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
10. Jayson Werth — 15 points Last year: unranked It may seem hard to believe, but now playing his sixth year in the Curly W, Werth is the third-longest tenured current National. His Game 4 walk-off home run in the 2012 NLDS remains the young franchise’s defining (positive) playoff moment to date, earning him a spot on this list. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams, right, and linebacker Brian Orakpo arrive for the teams NFL football training camp practice on Monday, July 30, 2012 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
T-8. Trent Williams — 22 points Last year: unranked Who’s the best player rocking burgundy and gold? It might well be Williams, the four-time All-Pro consistently recognized among the elite offensive linemen in the game. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby plays against the Minnesota Wild in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
T-8. Braden Holtby — 22 points Last year: unranked Holtby is another new name on this list, thanks to two straight spectacular seasons in goal. By the time the year is done he will add some additional hardware, which will no doubt prop him higher, hence him being listed above Williams, despite the tie. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
AP Photo/Jim Mone
Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg (37) waves to the crowd after hitting his first career home run during the fourth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Washington, Sunday, May 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
7. Stephen Strasburg — 25 points Last year: 8th One can only imagine how much higher Strasburg might be on this list with a little better health over the past few years. This is his free agent walk year — and Scott Boras is his agent — so there’s a very decent chance it could be his last on this list. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 114-99. (AP Photo/Jon Barash)
6. John Wall — 31 points Last year: 5th Wall returned to the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year, but the Wizards took a step backward and are all but eliminated from the postseason. The only Wizard on this list, he is the unquestioned face of that franchise and should be for years to come. (AP Photo/Jon Barash)
AP Photo/Jon Barash
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates his game-winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the second overtime period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, April 14, 2012. The Capitals won 2-1, tying the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
5. Nicklas Backstrom Last year: 4th The longtime sidekick to the NHL’s top scorer, Backstrom has been playing in the District since age 20. He’s made three All-Star Games in that stretch and led the league in assists. He might be the most unheralded player in relation to his rank. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, right, slides safely into home as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Humberto Quintero cannot handle the throw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, May 26, 2013, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
4. Ryan Zimmerman — 38 points Last year: 3rd Zim had an injury-plagued 2015 season, and the Nats missed the playoffs, but he’s been in Washington since the team’s inaugural season and is responsible for a host of walk-offs, including the in the very first game at Nationals Park. Unlike last year, though, he isn’t the highest National on this list anymore. AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP/Alex Brandon)
AP/Alex Brandon
Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper during the inning of a MLB baseball game in Miami, Wednesday, April 17, 2013 against the Miami Marlins. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
3. Bryce Harper — 39 points Last year: 6th Harper enjoyed the biggest jump on this list and very nearly found his way into the second spot. He might be the most widely recognizable face in baseball today and is coming off a unanimous MVP Award with no signs of slowing down. The individual accolades will continue to help, but a deep playoff run would help his stock as well. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
AP Photo/J Pat Carter
D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen, center in tie, stands during the National Anthem, before an MLS soccer match against the New York Red Bulls, at RFK Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
2. Ben Olsen — 42 points Last year: 2nd As we mentioned last year, Olsen holds a unique place on this list, thanks to his unique place in Washington sports. He spent his storied playing career with D.C. United and remains the face of the team as head coach. While I’m only using his playing numbers, they were good enough to keep him in the number two spot. It’s worth remembering that United has won the last four D.C. professional sports championships. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, (8), of Russia, leaps in the air in celebration after scoring his 500th career NHL goal during the second period of a hockey game against the Ottawa Senators in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
1. Alex Ovechkin — 82 points Last year: 1st It’s a good time to remember just how great the Great 8 has been. On the way to his seventh scoring title and possibly his seventh 50-goal campaign, Ovechkin is a surefire Hall of Famer. At age 30, he needs only one more thing to validate his illustrious career, but that’s a topic for another time. He’s easily the two-time champion of this list. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
(1/11)
Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth points to the Nationals dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting the game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Washington. Washington won 2-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams, right, and linebacker Brian Orakpo arrive for the teams NFL football training camp practice on Monday, July 30, 2012 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby plays against the Minnesota Wild in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg (37) waves to the crowd after hitting his first career home run during the fourth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Washington, Sunday, May 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 114-99. (AP Photo/Jon Barash)
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates his game-winning goal against the Boston Bruins during the second overtime period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Boston, Saturday, April 14, 2012. The Capitals won 2-1, tying the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, right, slides safely into home as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Humberto Quintero cannot handle the throw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, May 26, 2013, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper during the inning of a MLB baseball game in Miami, Wednesday, April 17, 2013 against the Miami Marlins. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen, center in tie, stands during the National Anthem, before an MLS soccer match against the New York Red Bulls, at RFK Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, (8), of Russia, leaps in the air in celebration after scoring his 500th career NHL goal during the second period of a hockey game against the Ottawa Senators in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

This is an update of a piece originally posted in 2015. Check out those rankings and our methodology in achieving them.

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