I think what you're describing is the "junkette" rig - not a very good or descriptive name, but it stuck. There have been a few examples built, over the years, but they're not common. Yes, the forward ends of the battens can be attached to mast hoops, or to cars on tracks similar to those used for fully battened bermudan mainsails. I don't think there are any aerodynamic advantages. There will need to be a downhaul rigged to each batten - that's not a major difficulty, but it does mean that instead of yard/throat/luff hauling parrels, there are several downhauls instead, so no saving on hardware and line.

In a more usual form of the junk rig, it seems to be best if the mast is quite close behind the luff when going to windward, as it is then in the separation bubble when on the lee side of the sail (usually when on starboard tack).