PawSox sluggerJoe Thurston, left, clowning during Media Day in April, was honored as the team’s MVP last night.

The Providence Journal / Andrew Dickerman

PAWTUCKET — Joe Thurston has meant a tremendous amount to the Red Sox organization this season.

The PawSox’ infielder/outfielder has been a leader both on and off the field for the prospects in the organization. On the field, the 28-year-old has been tremendous with a .315 average to go along with his league-leading 158 hits. In fact, before last night’s game at McCoy Stadium, he was honored in a pregame ceremony as the club’s MVP.

His two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning proved to be the game-winner as Pawtucket defeated the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 2-1.

His importance to the Red Sox, however, could be the blood running through his veins.

It just so happens that Thurston is the second cousin of the reigning Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia.

The left-hander will be this offseason’s biggest free agent and will no doubt gain a lot of attention by the Yankees, possibly the Red Sox, along with a lot of other clubs from both leagues. Sabathia, who was a midseason acquisition for the Brewers from the Indians, is guiding Milwaukee toward a postseason run.

What happens after this season remains to be seen.

Other than Sabathia himself, Thurston may be the guy who has the inside track.

The two talk quite often and were teammates from Little League through high school in California.

“I know he wants to be a little closer to home,” said Thurston, referring to the clubs in the Bay Area. “But if the money’s right, he’ll sacrifice.”

With the talent pool of pitching already in the big leagues and in their farm system, the Red Sox may not be too serious to go toe-to-toe with the Yankees in a bidding war, especially since Sabathia will probably draw the biggest contract — upward of five years in the $180-million range — for a pitcher.

Plus, he has made it no secret that he likes to hit. Sabathia is 7-for-30 with a double and four RBI in 10 games for the Brewers this season.

“He can hit,” Thurston said. “He’s always been a really good hitter. He was a good hitter in high school. It’s just one of those things where he doesn’t get to practice it that much like we do, but he’s always been a really good hitter.”

But the here and now isn’t about Sabathia.

Thurston has done a very good job for himself this season, and will probably be a call-up this month. The six-year free agent decided to sign with Boston during the offseason because he felt he would be a good fit in the organization. Because of his professionalism and production, he’s earned a couple of call-ups — albeit brief ones — to Boston, and he’s led this PawSox team to its first postseason since 2003.

“It’s a tough situation,” he said. “I feel like I’ve done well here, and I think they really do like me in this organization to where I would have a good opportunity to be back here next year. At the same time my goal is to be in the big leagues. I feel like I can help a big-league team out some where. It depends what their plans are for me next year.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “Bottom line is you have to do what you can to be considered. To be here, and to have a good season, if it doesn’t work out and I don’t get called up, I’ve put myself in a good position for next year with this [organization] or another. I’m very happy with the year I’ve had.”

Thurston has always been that type of player who has wanted to control his own destiny.

“It’s already hard enough to play this game,” he said. “I’ve never been that type of guy to worry about other things because I have to focus on me.”

Before this season — his first with the Red Sox — Thurston played a total of 55 major-league games with the Dodgers and the Phillies. Both his call-ups this season with the Red Sox came at Yankee Stadium, and even though he didn’t get to play, the experience was well worth it.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I grabbed a couple of things of dirt, so I got my souvenir.”

After his one-game call-up last week, Thurston was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and returned to the PawSox on Saturday.

His presence is very important for Pawtucket, and his absence didn’t go unnoticed.

“We’ve had a lot of guys with major offensive numbers this year,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson, “but if there’s been one guy who has been the catalyst, and the MVP of the ball club, it’s been Joe Thurston. The energy he brings to the club. The vocalness he brings to the club — everything is a plus. I have to commend him on a phenomenal year. Hopefully he’s put himself in a good position. His goal coming in was to put himself in a position to help our club, or make [himself] marketable to other clubs. I think he’s done that.”

He’s done that and maybe more.

If the Red Sox re-sign Thurston, Boston may just be able to ink his cousin, too.

jmcdonal@projo.com