For fantasy baseball fans, the home run is perhaps the single most important element of fantasy baseball.  One swing of the stick and suddenly four statistics on your fantasy team improve.  RBI's, runs scored, batting average, and of course home runs are all affected by the round tripper. 

While it is well known how important it is for a fantasy team to be able to hit home runs, it is becoming more and more obvious so far this season that some major league teams rely on the home run to help them win ball games.  The most obvious team is the Cincinnati Reds.  Heading into the day the Reds have a team ERA of 5.06 and a record of 15-7. As Ron Burgundy would say "that doesn't make sense."

With 34 home runs this season the Reds are becoming equivalent to the Pheonix Suns of the NBA; they live and die by the long bomb.  So far so good as the team is only half of a game behind Houston for first in the NL Central. 

The Reds are not the only team who have chosen to rest their season on home runs.  There are four other teams in the bigs that have hit at least 30 home runs, and have a team ERA over 4.5.  For two of the teams, Brewers and Blue Jays, it has worked as they both have records over .500.  For the other two teams, Pirates and Athletics, their pitching has been too awful to overcome. 

What does all of this mean for fantasy baseball?  Well for one, these are the teams whose players will help out your fantasy team the most.  The Reds currently have six batters who can be used in all fantasy formats, and when/if Griffey returns, they will have seven. Don't be fearful of using multiple players from one team if you are doing it for the right reasons.  If they are producing solid numbers, and are better than all other options you have at that position, then keep them in lineup.  Don't, however, put five Royals into your lineup because you were born and raised in Kansas City, because that would be a fantasy nightmare.   

Below is a 25 and under team of future all-stars who will be staples on their teams for years to come.  Let's just say I became GM and given the freedom to put together a young squad after the former GM dumped all the other players Marlins style.  This is the team I'd compile. 

Batting Order:

1. Hanley Ramirez, SS, 22: This guy looks like a top leadoff man for years to come.

2. Grady Sizemore, OF, 23: Should leadoff, but does just as well hitting 2nd in this lineup.

3. Dave Wright, 3B, 23: He's been dubbed the Jeter of the Mets, and plus I went to high school with him.

4. Jonny Gomes, OF, 25: Ten home runs so far, Reminds me of Adam Dunn.

5. Chris Shelton, DH, 25: Barely makes the squad due to age, but come on, you know he's gotta be in the lineup.

6. Prince Fielder, 1B, 21: Youngest of the group, and hitting a remarkable .373, plus they just moved him up the batting order behind Carlos Lee.

7. Brandon Phillips, 2B, 25: 17Rbis in 7games/days gets him on this team.

8. Brian McCann, C, 22: Solid hitter who I drafted in all five of my fantasy squads at the beginning of the year. 

9. Brian Anderson, OF, 24: They sport the best record in baseball, and are World Series champs.  So I gotta give them some love, and Anderson is the best young hitter they have.

Pitching Staff

1. Rich Harden, 25, ACE: This guy is a stud, and will help lead the rest of this young, talented, staff.

2. Justin Verlander, 23, SP: 97 mph gas.

3. Matt Cain, 21, SP: inconsistent early but expect him to pick it up rapidly.

4. Felix Hernandez, 20, SP: All hail the King!

5. Zach Duke, 23, SP: Can we get this guy off the Pirates please, and bring Bay with him.

6. Francisco Liriano, 22, RP: 15 K's in just over 10 innings of work makes this guy the perfect middle reliever to set up Chris Ray to shut the door.  I know he should be starting but hey the starters are young so he will get a lot of work.

7. Chris Ray, 24, CLOSER: His stuff is just filthy, a 94 mph two-seamer.  He has the O's organization forgetting who B.J. Ryan is.

One of the things I have noticed that benefit's a fantasy baseball player is not having a favorite team.  Granted, once you have a favorite team, and become a die-hard fan, there is no turning back. 

However, for much of my life I was only into basketball and football and did not really have a favorite team---expelling much of my energy on the Skins and Noles, as I still do.  But once fantasy baseball took over I began to fall in love with the sport and everything about it, minus the ability to have a favorite team.  Sure I like the Reds, Mets, Brewers, and Tigers, but that is only this season. Next season, who knows who I'll follow the most.  What I have noticed about not having a favorite team is that it helps me remain completely nuetral come draft day.  I won't be the player to take Derek Jeter in the 3rd round because I am obsessed with the Yankees. 

 When drafting, the best thing to do is fill holes on a need by need basis, and add players who will contribute to all scoring categories.  Drafting six players from one team usually is not the smartest thing, since you are most likely not drafting the best player available, but instead a less talented player that you favor (unless of course this is football and you are drafting Redskins.....they are all fantasy studs.) 

To build a top fantasy squad you have to choose each position carefully and make sure you are putting the best possible player available to you at each position.  Just like in the Big Leagues. 

Five players to scoop:

1)Mike Maroth, SP, Detroit:  This guy is 3-0 with a .49 ERA.  He has given up only one run this season and that was in the first inning of his first game.  Since then, 17 1/3 innings pitched without an earned run.  The teams he's faced include Cleveland, Texas, and Seattle, not to shabby.   That kind of dominance can't last.......but what if it does?

2)Jack Wilson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: Now I know he plays for the lowly Pirates, but he hits in front of Jason Bay and is putting up stellar numbers.  He's hitting .353 with 11runs, 11Rbi's, 4 dongs, and a SB.  Whether or not his power will continue is a question, but the guy can definitely play.  Last year was a down year for Wilson, but this is quite possibly because of an apendectomy he had. 

3)Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds: Phillips is the first of two Reds who will fit nicely in anyones lineup.  Phillips was recently acquired from Cleveland and has caught fire(big surpise) since coming to Cincy.  After taking Tony Womack's job(causing him to be released on 4/24) Phillips has amazed.  In only one weeks worth of action he hit 17 Rbi's, good enough to earn NL player of the week honors.  He is currently hitting .362 with 3 dongs as well. 

4)Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Cincinnati Reds: Encarnacion is a bit more of a reach and is better for the larger leagues where talent is scarce.  However, he has been putting up solid numbers, and is currently playing for a team that is crushing the ball.  Edwin is hitting .266 with 18Rbi's, 3 hr's, and 17 runs.  Those numbers are impressive, and could continue just because of the team he plays for.

5)John Koronka, SP, Texas Rangers: Koronka may be a rookie and a pitcher for the Rangers, but his strong outing cannot be ignored.  He is currently 3-1 with a 3.75 era and 18K's.  Although he is a rookie, he has been around since 1998 and is 25yrs old.  Whether or not being in Texas will catch up to him remains to be seen, but even if he does give up some runs, he has strong run support behind him. 

Other players to add: Garrett Atkins, Todd Walker, Hanley Ramirez, Omar Vizquel

Five players to boot:

1)Jason Johnson, SP, Cleveland Indians:  Ok this guy may turn out to be pretty solid, but he most recently gave up 4ER to the Royals in 6 innings of work.  His numbers so far are solid and he is on a good team, but I just feel as though it won't last.  It's either that, or I'm just bitter because I saw someone cut King Felix to pick up this guy...I mean come on....you can't cut the King!

2)Oliver Perez, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: This guy was supposed to be a stud.  Last year he choked and this year isn't looking too much better.  I don't know what is wrong with him or if he will fix it, but right now, let him go.  He is 1-3 with a 7.20 ERA.  Even if he does turn it around, so what, he plays for the Pirates. 

3)Adrian Beltre, 3B, Seattle Mariners: Some people are still holding out hope for this guy and I don't know why. He had a big time spring and WBC but once the season started, he has done nothing.  I know he had a monster year two years ago, but other than that, he has been a bust.  His batting average is .187, I don't even have to say anything else. 

4)Brad Wilkerson, 1B/OF, Texas Rangers: He is here because of how much he was overhyped at the beginning of the year.  I read so much about how he was going to explode leading off for Texas.  Well guess what, he doesn't lead off anymore, and he's not exploding.  His avg. is .203 and he only has 6Rbi's.

5)Dan Johnson, 1B, Oakland Athletics: After a strong debut last season much is expected out of him.  While it may still come, now is not that time, and no one can afford to keep a guy hitting .083 on their roster. 

Ask questions, I got the answers