A pair of middle infielders from the D.C./Maryland region made substantial jumps in this weeks Going Forward Rankings, partly due to their recent upticks in performance, but also due to skills growth theyve exhibited since the season began.Jonathan Schoop of the Baltimore Orioles leapt more than 70 spots -- and seven at second base alone -- after posting .390/.421/.650 triple-slash rates, five home runs, 16 RBIs and 24 runs scored in his past 25 games. Its the runs that stand out, fueled in part by his nine starts combined between the Nos. 2 (8) and 3 (1) lineup spots during that span. Schoop might not be a logical choice for the No. 2 spot due to his modest walk rate, but in his defense, he has improved upon a near nonexistent rate of 4.7 percent during that 25-game span. His free-swinging nature will almost certainly lead to inconsistency over the course of a typical year -- expect a .250 (or worse) hitting month in at least one of his next two -- but Schoop is on pace for 25 home runs, and as an everyday player, thats a reasonable target.Further down I-95, Danny Espinosa continues to lay claim to the starting shortstop job for the Washington Nationals, with an even more generous home run pace than Schoops: Espinosa is on track for 34 homers of his own. Like Schoop, Espinosas walk rate has risen this season to a career-best 8.9 percent, and he has batted an outrageous .303 with 15 home runs, 33 RBIs and 31 runs scored in his past 37 games. ESPNs Leo Howell dug deeper into Espinosas recent improvements on Tuesday, but most notable is that Trea Turner, the Nationals top prospect and Espinosas primary competition for playing time in the future, has been playing some center field in the minors of late. Espinosa now looks locked into regular at-bats through years end, and his power/speed combo makes him well worth top-20 shortstop value.Here are some quick thoughts about the weeks other big movers...Before you assume that Clayton Kershaws projection wasnt adjusted to account for his back injury, Ill remind that, before his placement on the DL, he enjoyed such a substantial advantage over the rest of the starting-pitching field in terms of going-forward projections that his absence merely drew him closer to the rest of the pack. Think of it like this: If he was projecting a $48 player -- which he was -- and the next-best pitcher was projected for $38, then a mere three-week absence isnt going to drag him out of the top spot. Theres risk in owning Kershaw now, for sure, but Id be far more apt to buy if his owner is concerned than to lower him further in the ranks.Stephen Strasburg looked like he didnt miss a beat during his DL stint, and with the mid-to-upper tiers of starting pitchers struggling this season, hes easily back to being one of the top members of Tier 3 (if not on the bottom part of Tier 2).A move up to 70th overall for Brian Dozier felt a little aggressive to me initially, considering his historically streaky nature fueled by his high strikeout rate (and resulting low batting average). Id imagine hell probably hover between 70 and 100 for most of the remainder of the year, which still makes him a regular member of the top 10 second basemen in the rankings.The same might be said for Matt Harvey, ranked only two spots behind Dozier. I gave some thought to dropping Harvey into the 120 range.Though he hasnt shown evidence of a full return to his 2015 Cy Young form, Dallas Keuchel nevertheless has posted four consecutive quality starts and a 3.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 22.0 percent strikeout rate in his past eight turns. He might be one dominating outing away from recapturing a ranking among the top 15 starters, making this your final opportunity to perhaps acquire him at an at least reasonable price.Though Wade Davis still has a top-10 relief pitcher ranking, I cant say Im confident about it. His velocity drop and modest usage to date is a red flag, despite the Kansas City Royals suggestion that this is a mere rest period conveniently wrapped around the All-Star break. If Davis returns with a hot week or two, hed be the first reliever Id shop, if I could get anything close to a top-five fantasy closers value.Your weekly Dee Gordon follow-up: Hes eligible to return in 22 days and has moved up 19 spots in the rankings. Id anticipate a ranking around 115-120th in the next edition.Michael Pinedas peripherals have been significantly better than his Rotisserie returns all season, and since June 1, his Rotisserie stats have fallen much closer in line. Im all in on him for the second half, which is the reason for the sizable jump into the top 40 starting pitchers.New ESPN position eligibilityThe following players added new position eligibility within the past week. As a reminder, position players need to appear 10 times at a new position to gain in-season eligibility, while pitchers need to make three starts to earn starting-pitching eligibility or five relief appearances to earn relief-pitching eligibility.Luis Cessa (RP), Jefry Marte (3B), Jurickson Profar (3B), Andrew Romine (1B), Keyvius Sampson (RP), Miguel Sano (3B), Kolten Wong (OF).The following players are within two games of earning new eligibility, with their total games played noted at the listed position.Cristhian Adames (2B, 9 games), Mike Aviles (2B, 8 games), Emilio Bonifacio (OF, 8 games), Daniel Castro (3B, 9 games), Christian Colon (3B, 8 games), Chase dArnaud (2B, 9 games), Stephen Drew (3B, 8 games; SS, 8 games), Jedd Gyorko (3B, 9 games), Marco Hernandez (2B, 8 games; 3B, 8 games), Paul Janish (3B, 9 games), Jefry Marte (OF, 9 games), Shawn OMalley (SS, 8 games), Hernan Perez (OF, 9 games).Going-forward rankings: Week 14Listed below are my updated, going-forward rankings. These are based upon an ESPN standard league of 10 teams and Rotisserie 5x5 scoring. Click here to see these rankings sorted by position. Cincinnati Reds Pro Shop . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Cheap Reds Jerseys . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Stitched Reds Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Cincinnati Reds Store . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Going on the road on a short week against a division rival is usually a challenge for most teams.For the defending champion Denver Broncos, it is extra difficult this week.Coming off their first loss of the season, the Broncos will be without coach Gary Kubiak when they visit the reeling San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.Kubiak is taking a week off after experiencing a complex migraine condition Sunday night shortly after Denvers 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.Kubiak was sent home from the hospital Monday and issued a statement saying he was feeling much better, thanking his teams medical staff and expressing his confidence in Joe DeCamillis. DeCamillis, the special teams coordinator, is serving as interim head coach.Trevor Siemian is expected to return as quarterback for Denver after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled against the Falcons.The Broncos (4-1) have won 15 consecutive division road games, the longest such streak in NFL history.The Chargers (1-4) are coming off a 34-31 loss at Oakland, where rookie Drew Kaser botched the hold for a potential game-tying field goal late in the game. It was the 10th straight AFC West loss for San Diego going back to 2014.The Broncos (No. 5 AP Pro32) are 3+-point favorites over the host Chargers (No. 27, AP Pro32)BRONCOS, 27-23KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIPTom Brady and the Patriots had no trouble with the injury-riddled Browns last week, so well take another first-place AFC team this week. Big Ben and the STEELERS are the choice here.No. 3 Steelers (minus 8) at No. 29 MiamiThe Steelers have been one of the AFCs top teams. The Dolphins, who had aspirations of making the playoffs entering the season, are one of the AFCs biggest disappointments so far.STEELERS, 31-10No. 13 Baltimore (plus 3) at No. 19 New York GiantsBoth teams are reeling, with Giants losing 3 in a row and the Ravens skid at two. Ravens offense gets going with new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.RAVENS, 24-17No. 16 Bengals (plus 9) at No. 2 New EnglandBengals haad a no-show in Big D.dddddddddddd Going into New England for Bradys home opener? Thats a Big L.BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 48-10No. 31 San Francisco (plus 8) at No. 11 Buffalo49ers get a lift from Colin Kaepernicks first start of the season.UPSET SPECIAL: 49ERS, 24-13No. 8 Philadelphia (minus 3) at No. 14 WashingtonRedskins have won three in a row, but Carson Wentz cools them off.EAGLES, 27-21No. 32 Cleveland (plus 7+) at No. 23 TennesseeJosh McCown could return for Cleveland. Browns are bound to win at some point.BROWNS, 21-20No. 21 Carolina (minus 3) at No. 25 New OrleansWith Cam Newtons status uncertain, Saints find a way in a matchup of one-win division rivals.SAINTS, 28-17No. 28 Jacksonville (plus 3) at No. 30 ChicagoAnother meeting of one-win teams. Brian Hoyer wins it for Bears.BEARS, 24-20No. 18 Los Angeles (plus 3) at No. 20 DetroitLions falter after upset of Eagles.RAMS, 21-17No. 12 Kansas City (plus 1+) at No. 10 OaklandChiefs are winless on the road. Not a good omen going into Black Hole.RAIDERS, 35-31No. 7 Atlanta (plus 6) at No. 4 SeattleFalcons coach Dan Quinn returns to the Pacific Northwest, but Russell Wilson is ready for him.SEAHAWKS, 30-21No. 9 Dallas (plus 4) at No. 6 Green BayAaron Rodgers slows down Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.PACKERS, 30-20No. 22 Indianapolis (plus 3) at No. 15 HoustonTexans might be the weakest first-place team in the league. Colts could tie them with a win.COLTS, 23-21No. 26 New York Jets (plus 7+) at No. 17 ArizonaCarson Palmer is expected to return for Arizona. Cardinals D is eager to test Ryan Fitzpatrick.CARDINALS, 31-14---Last Week: Against spread (10-2-1). Straight up: (9-5)Season Totals: Against spread (38-34-3). Straight up: (46-31)Best Bet: 2/3 against spread, 3-2 straight up.Upset special: 3-2 against spread, 3-2 straight up.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '