Yankees fire international scouting director Donny Rowland after pricey failures

LAS VEGAS — At a time when their pipeline of international talent has run mostly dry, the Yankees have let go of the man in charge of it.

The club did not renew the contract of longtime international scouting director Donny Rowland, The Post confirmed, after 15 years in the job and his 23rd season overall with the organization.

The dismissal of Rowland, 62, was first reported by baseball writer Francys Romero.

The Yankees made a number of high-profile and expensive signings in the international market in recent years, led by Jasson Domínguez’s record $5.1 million signing bonus in 2019. And while the jury is still out on how much of an impact the 22-year-old outfielder will ultimately make in the big leagues, many of the Yankees’ other top signings have not lived up to their price tag — though they have had some better success with lower-level signings, highlighted by Luis Severino ($225,000 in 2011).

Aside from Domínguez, the only other member of the Yankees’ 40-man roster that they signed internationally is Oswaldo Cabrera ($100,000 in 2015). They have used other notable pieces in trades, including Kevin Alcantara to nab Anthony Rizzo and Everson Pereira to land Jose Caballero.

But the Yankees’ top signing in 2018, Cuban shortstop Alexander Vargas ($2.5 million), was released from the organization in August after topping out at Double-A. Their highest-priced signing in 2017 was Venezuelan outfielder Raimfer Salinas, who played 163 games at Low-A and below before being released in 2023 shortly before he was suspended for testing positive for PEDs.

Following Domínguez’s splash in 2019, the Yankees inked Dominican shortstop Hans Montero to a $1.6 million deal in 2021. The 21-year-old spent this season repeating Low-A, batting .269 with a .788 OPS.

Their top signings in 2022 and 2023, shortstop Roderick Arias ($4 million) and outfielder Brando Mayea ($4.35 million), have yet to take off in the system. Arias, 21, spent a second season this year at Low-A, batting .208 with a .640 OPS while Mayea, 20, repeated the year in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, batting .297 with a .873 OPS.

There have been more promising finds at lower costs in recent years, most notably right-hander Carlos Lagrange ($10,000 in 2022), who is now one of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects.