Six OK players are off to hot starts. Are they for real?

	Xavier Nady has secured an everyday job with the Mets. Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Your early season transactions can make or break your title chances, so it's time to look at six surprise players who have gotten off to blistering starts. We'll determine whether they're good enough to have long-term value to your squad (a la Albert Pujols circa 2001), or if they're just hot and will flame out as quickly as they've come to shine (a la Cody Ross this week).

1. Juan Castro, second baseman, Twins: For a dozen years, Castro's exploits as a fantasy middle infielder have largely gone unnoticed as the former Dodger and Red has always been much flashier in the field than at the plate. However, he's been hitting for a high average ever since being installed as the starter at shortstop to replace the demoted Jason Bartlett. Castro's got a little pop and decent speed (despite only five career steals) but even if he matches his career highs across the board, we're still only talking about a .257 avg. with nine home runs and 33 RBIs, so although his current .350 average is nice to have, don't count on it being there for long. Verdict: Just hot, sell high.

2. Xavier Nady, right fielder, Mets: When GM Omar Minaya traded Mike Cameron to the Padres for the former top prospect turned utilityman, most observers thought it was a salary dump -- which it may have been -- but so far the move is paying off handsomely for New York. Nady has stabilized the Mets' outfield and lineup while hitting .400 with four home runs. He's also silenced all of the critics who believed that Victor Diaz should be starting instead. Even hitting low in New York's potent lineup, Nady should be a lock for .275, 20 HRs and 75 RBIs. Verdict: He's good, although not this good.

3. Jason Repko, center fielder, Dodgers: For the second straight season, Repko found himself acting as an injury fill-in for Los Angeles, and for the second straight season, he's proven to be more than adequate, hitting .326 with a homer, seven RBIs and four steals. However, with starter Kenny Lofton back from the DL, Repko goes back to his role as fourth outfielder. He's a solid option for a fifth or sixth fantasy outfielder while he's starting, but he's not worth the roster spot over the long haul. Verdict: Just hot.

4. Chris Shelton, first baseman, Tigers: The former catcher and Rule V pick from the Pirates showed signs of being a very good hitter last season in Triple-A, batting .331 with eight home runs at Toledo before being recalled to replace a struggling Carlos Pena. By the time he was inserted into the lineup regularly, Shelton's exploits (.299 avg., 18 HRs, 59 RBIs) went largely unnoticed because the Tigers were already buried in the standings. This season, everyone's taking notice as Shelton has burst to the major league lead in home runs while hitting nearly .500 for the first two-plus weeks. Verdict: He's really good.

5. Ty Wigginton, infielder, Devil Rays: Wigginton went from one of the more promising infielders in the majors to exile in Triple-A with the Pirates in less than two seasons. After securing a major league contract from the Rays in January, Wiggy got a chance to make the squad as a super-sub and has provided spark off the bench while filling in for injured stars Aubrey Huff and Jorge Cantu at third and second, respectively. Still just 28, Wigginton's tied for the team lead with five home runs, is second in RBIs with 13 and is third in at-bats with 41. Verdict: He's good and getting better.

6. Craig Wilson, first baseman-outfielder, Pirates: The big blonde bopper seemed to be a man without a position once the Bucs brought in Jeromy Burnitz and Sean Casey to play everyday in right field and first base, respectively, so he was largely overlooked in fantasy drafts. However, a disabling back injury to Casey has opened up a ton of at bats for Wilson, who just two years ago hit 29 home runs. He was named the NL player of the week following seven days in which he hit five homers, drove in 10 runs and hit .364. It'll be impossible for Pirates skipper Jim Tracy to remove the team's second-best hitter from the lineup, even when Casey returns. Verdict: He's always good when he gets a chance, like now.