Although this issue persists, this is my workaround that allows SQL queries to return a limited subset of data fields. Simply put, it requires adding a separate hibernate class definition for each unique set of query result fields, but does NOT require separate Java classes to be defined. Steps:
1. Define a separate hibernate class mapping against the original Java class, listing only those fields that are returned from the limited query. Value the "entity-name" attribute with a unique pseudonym.
2. When defining the "sql-query", refer to the pseudonym from the "return" element, rather than using the original class name.
3. Map those fields normally (e.g. via return-property or as {}), only listing those fields in the pseudonym class
Example hibernate mapping:
<class name="com.test.MyClass" entity-name="com.test.MyClassPseudonym">...</class>
<sql-query name="MyQuery"><return alias="mc" class="com.test.MyClassPseudonym">/>...</sql-query>