ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Area scouts don’t often get to see their work in person in a major league ballpark.

That’s what made the Yankees’ 3-1 win over the Rays Wednesday night at Tropicana Field so special for Steve Kmetko.

Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees VP of domestic amateur scouting, brought many of his scouts together for this three-game series. They were able to have meetings by day and catch games at night.

It’s a way of building morale and now that the Yankees are relying more on younger players, it’s a way to see the fruits of their labor paying off.

Rookie Greg Bird blasted a double in the second inning that scored the Yankees’ first run and then absolutely crushed a home run to deep right in the ninth, a solo shot, his seventh home run in 29 games. He also homered Tuesday night.

Wednesday night’s home run off the D-ring catwalk was only the fifth home run to hit off that ring this season, and it gave the Yankees the breathing room they needed as Luis Severino, another rookie, improved his record to 4-3 by beating Rays ace Chris Archer.

“Greg is such a great kid,’’ Kmetko told The Post. “And he’s always been a mature kid. But it is still unbelievable to me to be at the games the last two nights to see him hit home runs. I’m just lucky to be here, that doesn’t often happen to area scouts.

“The thing that really struck me tonight watching Greg out there is that he looks like he belongs. He looks like he’s been out there 10 years.’’

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Kmetko is not the only one to think that way.

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson made his way through the Yankees clubhouse after the win and made this comment, showing how well Bird has fit in as Mark Teixeira is out with a lower right leg fracture: “What’s not to like about Greg Bird?’’

Exactly, and now Bird gets to experience his first Subway Series this weekend.

“It’s awesome that Steve was here, he is a great guy,’’ Bird told The Post. “He has scouted a lot of good players. I’ve stayed in touch with him over the last five years. It’s great to see him and great for the organization. He really does a good job.’’

Kmetko first saw Bird at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. Bird was teammates with pitcher Kevin Gausman, a first-round pick of the Orioles in 2012. The Yankees made Bird a fifth-round selection in 2011.

Bird has been moving up the ladder ever since.

Bird, 22, has a sweet swing and never seems to swing at a bad pitch. He has what scouts call a slow heartbeat, meaning he does not let the moment overtake him. He lets the game come to him — an invaluable trait in baseball.

That’s exactly what the Yankees need down the stretch.

“What [Bird] is doing is so impressive in the middle of a pennant race,” Alex Rodriguez said. “The way he carries himself, his plate discipline. He reminds me a little bit of John Olerud, when I played with him [with the Mariners and Yankees].’’

Bird knows how difficult this game is, despite the calm demeanor.

“I got some pitches to hit and put some good swings on them,’’ Bird said, adding that his personality is a big part of his success.

“Baseball is a tough game. It can be great at times and it can bring you right back to earth real quick. Being level-headed has always been a focus of mine. It fits the sport well.’’

Bird was quick to compliment his young teammate Severino.

“He is a competitor,” Bird said, “and you know what you are going to get from him every time he goes out there.”

You could say the same for Greg Bird.

Those are the talents and traits Steve Kmetko saw when he first scouted Bird in Colorado. Those are the talents and traits he again saw on display in a major league ballpark the last few nights, a home run all the way.