SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Hunter Pence spent so many hours at his favorite Houston-area coffeehouse in the offseason that the baristas made him their unofficial intern.
He learned how to pull a shot and pour latte art. He explored flavor nuances of coffees from around the world and various degrees of roast. He settled on cold brew as his go-to, and carries around an enormous space age, insulated stainless steel mug with him wherever he goes this spring.
This probably won’t surprise you: cold brew often contains more caffeine.
Pence never lacks for energy. But he will turn 33 on April 13, and the player that Bruce Bochy calls “Full Throttle” is beginning to recognize that there will be strategic times when he needs to ease off.