Changwon: The NC Dinos completed their foreign player signings for the 2026 season on Thursday by bringing back two stars and newly acquiring a former minor leaguer. The Dinos have re-signed first baseman Matt Davidson for his third season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) at US$1.3 million, which includes $975,000 in salary and a $325,000 signing bonus. Right-hander Riley Thompson will also return for his second season in South Korea, earning up to $1.25 million with a $600,000 salary, a $400,000 signing bonus, and potential incentives totaling $250,000.
According to Yonhap News Agency, earlier in the day, the Dinos announced the signing of minor league pitcher Curtis Taylor to a one-year deal worth up to $900,000, including a $420,000 salary, a $280,000 signing bonus, and $200,000 in incentives. The Dinos had previously signed former Yomiuri Giants pitcher Natsuki Tado as their Asian quota player. These signings make the Dinos the fourth team in the 10-team KBO to fill all four foreign player spots for 2026.
The Dinos decided not to exercise the second year of their earlier deal with Davidson, opting instead for a new one-year contract. Despite missing 32 games due to injuries in the 2025 season, Davidson hit 36 home runs and recorded 97 RBIs, ranking second and fifth overall in those categories. His .619 slugging percentage, though not qualifying, would have placed him second in the KBO. In 2024, Davidson secured the home run title with 46 homers in 131 games.
Thompson, the Dinos' top starter, tied for the KBO lead with 17 wins and was third with 216 strikeouts over 172 innings. He maintained a sub-3.00 ERA for three months starting in April and finished the season with a 3.45 ERA. Both Davidson and Thompson were instrumental in the Dinos' late-season push for a wild card spot.
"Both Davidson and Thompson were key parts of our team this past season," said Dinos general manager Lim Sun-nam. "They both have a great understanding of the KBO and have been exemplary teammates. We hope they will continue to be a key to our offense and pitching next season and help the team accomplish our goal."
Taylor, a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2016 draft, has not yet reached the majors. In 2025, he made 31 appearances, including 24 starts, for the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A team, the Memphis Redbirds, achieving a 10-4 record with a 3.21 ERA over 137 1/3 innings, with 118 strikeouts and 51 walks. Taylor has also pitched in Mexico and played in the minor leagues for several MLB teams.
Taylor, standing at 198 centimeters, possesses a five-pitch repertoire, including a four-seam fastball, sweeper, cutter, sinker, and changeup, reaching speeds of 154 kilometers per hour with his four-seamer. "He can command all five of his pitches," Lim said. "He can overpower hitters and can also pitch to contact. We expect him to play a big role for us in 2026."
In a message through the Dinos, Taylor expressed his admiration for South Korean pop culture, mentioning Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning film "Parasite" as a favorite.